Methods and apparatus to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking. An example method includes receiving messages collected by a badge in an environment, the messages including signal strength and a timestamp. The example method also includes assigning a location in the environment to the badge based on a first subset of the messages. The example method also includes identifying an asset in a second subset of the messages. The example method also includes updating a current location associated with the asset based on a relative proximity of the asset to the badge, wherein the current location corresponds to a first time and the updated location corresponds to a second time, and wherein a change in location between the current location and the updated location indicates movement of the asset in the environment.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/808,801, filed on Jul. 24, 2015, entitled “Methods and Apparatusto Facilitate Proximity Detection and Location Tracking”, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/029,252,filed Jul. 25, 2014, entitled “HOSPITAL TRACKING NETWORK.” U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/808,801 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/029,252 are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to healthcare environments, and, moreparticularly, to methods and apparatus to facilitate proximity detectionand location tracking.

BACKGROUND

Industrial settings such as hospitals, construction sites, retailcenters, etc. can be chaotic environments. A hospital is used herein asan example of an industrial setting. A hospital stay, for evenstraight-forward care, involves hundreds of healthcare resources.Healthcare resources include people (e.g., doctors, nurses, staff,etc.), processes and assets. The effectiveness of a healthcare systemcan be determined by the interaction between the healthcare resources.Adverse events that occur in hospitals, such as hospital-acquiredinfections, lost or missing assets, etc., result in patient harm,increased recovery time, loss of a hospital's and its staff's capacityto serve, unreimbursed healthcare costs, and, generally, increasedhealthcare costs. One of the main causes of these events isnon-adherence to protocols. Protocols can refer to a series of preferredor prescribed tasks that (1) have been proven to reduce adverse eventsand (2) effect a desired elimination of activities, practices, orpatterns that create harm or inefficiency. Example uses of suchprotocols are for hand washing, fall prevent, rounding, pain management,sleep improvement and physical therapy.

As an illustrative example, despite widespread knowledge that properhand washing reduces pathogen transmission, adherence by visitors ofpatients under an infection control protocol and even hospital staff canremain low with mean baseline rates of routine compliance acrossorganizations ranging from approximately 5%-81%, with an overallcompliance of approximately 40%. While there are many reasons fornon-compliance (including a perceived lack of risk, time to wash,missing knowledge of protocol, or associated discomfort from complyingwith protocol and general inconvenience) improvement in handsanitization before coming in contact with patients and often uponcompleting contact, will reduce the spread of bacteria and thus lowerthe incidence of adverse events, thereby improving the standard of care.It is therefore advantageous to help the providers of healthcare andother persons involved in a patient's care or visitation to comply withprotocols.

Real-time location systems (RTLS) monitor asset distribution and usage,providing actionable information to help control costs and improve thequality and efficiency of care. Systems that have been developed totrack and analyze activities in clinical settings have includedinstalling Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or infrared (IR) readerinfrastructures into buildings to capture position information. RFIDsensors may be placed on the people and/or assets that need to betracked.

In non-healthcare domains, such as commercial shopping monitoring,humans in effect become the sensors with such programs as “secretshoppers” and behavioral studies that use shopping patterns to inferconsumer propensities to select product preferentially.

However, this is an expensive and time-consuming solution because itrequires pulling power and data cabling to all the required locations.Location accuracy can also vary depending on technology. Typical RFIDsystems have a tolerance of approximately plus-or-minus ten feet,further limiting their range. RFID and IR-based sensors, though, arehighly susceptible to drift due to interference in the environment(e.g., a patient room) and cross talk between locations that arephysically separated, but have a line of sight between them (e.g., twopatient rooms across the hall from each other).

Therefore, it would be desirable to design a system and method fortracking locations and interactions between people and assets in anenvironment with minimal infrastructure requirements and standardizedtechnologies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain examples provide a method to facilitate proximity detection andlocation tracking in an environment. The example method includesreceiving messages collected by a badge in the environment, the messagesincluding signal strength and a timestamp. The example method includesassigning a location in the environment to the badge based on a firstsubset of the messages. The example method also includes identifying anasset in a second subset of the messages, and updating a currentlocation associated with the asset based on a relative proximity of theasset to the badge, wherein the current location corresponds to a firsttime and the updated location corresponds to a second time, and whereina change in location between the current location and the updatedlocation indicates movement of the asset in the environment.

Another example includes an apparatus to facilitate proximity detectionand location tracking in an environment. The example apparatus includesa message receiver to receive messages collected by a badge in theenvironment, the received messages to include signal strength and atimestamp. The example apparatus also includes a badge location engineto assign a location in the environment to the badge based on a firstsubset of the messages that correspond to a timestamp interval. Theexample apparatus also includes an asset location engine to identify anasset in a second subset of the messages that correspond tomobile-location assets, and to update a current location associated withthe asset based on a relative proximity of the asset to the badge, thecurrent location to correspond to a first time and the updated locationto correspond to a second time, and a change in location between thecurrent location and the current location indicative of movement of theasset in the environment.

Another example includes a tangible machine-readable storage mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at leastreceive messages collected by a badge in an environment, the receivedmessages to include signal strength and a timestamp. The exampleinstructions to also cause the machine to assign a location in theenvironment to the badge based on a first subset of the messages thatcorrespond to a timestamp interval by identifying a proximate beacon tagrelative to the badge based on the signal strength, and assign afixed-location associated with the proximate beacon tag to the badge.The example instructions to also cause the machine to identify an assetin a second subset of the messages that correspond to mobile-locationassets. The example instructions to also cause the machine to update acurrent location associated with the asset based on a relative proximityof the asset to the badge by classifying an asset location relative tothe badge based on the signal strength. The example instructions tocause the machine to, in response to classifying the asset location asimmediate relative to the badge, associate the location assigned to thebadge to the asset, and increment a confidence score associated with theasset. The example instructions to cause the machine to, in response toclassifying the asset location as near relative to the badge, incrementthe confidence score associated with the asset when the current locationassociated with the asset matches the location of the badge, anddecrement the confidence score associated with the asset location whenthe current location associated with the asset is different from thelocation of the badge, wherein the current location is to correspond toa first time and the updated location is to correspond to a second time,and a change in location between the current location and the updatedlocation is to indicate movement of the asset in the environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and technical aspects of the system and method disclosedherein will become apparent in the following Detailed Description setforth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which likereference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example healthcare-focusedinformation system.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example healthcare informationinfrastructure including one or more systems.

FIG. 3 shows an example industrial internet configuration including aplurality of health-focused systems.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example environmentconstructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure tofacilitate proximity detection and location tracking.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the example reader badge of the exampleenvironment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example reader badge, according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the example dock module of the exampleenvironment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example data table that may be employed by theexample reader badge of FIG. 4 to store collected beacon messages.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions that may be executed to log collected beacon messages inthe environment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions that may be executed to export reader messages in theenvironment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example reader badge structured toexecute the example machine-readable instructions of FIGS. 9 and/or 10to implement the example reader badge of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the example real-time location services(RTLS) server of the example environment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example data table that may be employed by theexample RTLS server of FIG. 4 to record received reader messages.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example data table that may be employed by theexample RTLS server of FIG. 4 to store reader badge-location mappings.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example data table that may be employed by theexample RTLS server of FIG. 4 to store mobile-location asset-locationmappings and corresponding asset-location confidence scores.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions that may be executed to facilitate proximity detection andlocation tracking in the environment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions that may be executed to generate a reader badge-locationmapping in the environment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions that may be executed to “crowd-source” a location of anasset in the environment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example server structured to executethe example machine-readable instructions of FIGS. 16, 17 and/or 18 toimplement the example RTLS server of FIG. 4.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example environment to facilitate proximitydetection and location tracking, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates another example environment to facilitate proximitydetection and location tracking, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates another example environment to facilitate proximitydetection and location tracking, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates another example environment to facilitate proximitydetection and location tracking, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is an example graph correlating signal strength with distance atdifferent angles of orientation, according the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates signal strength of beacon messages received at areader badge, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific examples that may be practiced. Theseexamples are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in theart to practice the subject matter, and it is to be understood thatother examples may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electricaland other changes may be made without departing from the scope of thesubject matter of this disclosure. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, provided to describe an exemplary implementation and notto be taken as limiting on the scope of the subject matter described inthis disclosure. Certain features from different aspects of thefollowing description may be combined to form yet new aspects of thesubject matter discussed below.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

I. Overview

Certain examples of the presently disclosed technology improve proximitydetection and location tracking of resources in an environment such as ahospital. An example system disclosed herein includes one or more beacontags affixed to assets within the environment and that transmit (e.g.,periodically, aperiodically and/or as a one-time event) beacon messages.The beacon messages are received by a mobile reader badge that listensfor beacon messages transmitted in the environment. For example,disclosed example reader badges (sometimes referred to herein as“readers,” “badges” or “mobile wireless bridges”) may include a networkinterface to receive beacon messages transmitted via low power BluetoothLow Energy (BLE). In some disclosed examples, the reader badges processthe received beacon messages and communicate information obtained fromthe beacon messages to one or more real-time location services (RTLS)servers via a communication infrastructure. For example, disclosedexample reader badges may aggregate and communicate a batch of beaconmessages (e.g., a threshold number of beacon messages, a thresholdinterval of time (e.g., a window of interest), etc.) to an RTLS servervia a Wi-Fi infrastructure (e.g., a wireless network). In some disclosedexamples, the RTLS server processes the received batch of beaconmessages to facilitate real-time location tracking of the resources inthe environment. In some disclosed examples, the RTLS server may reportthe location of resources via charts, graphs, tables, etc.

Real-time location services enable improved patient workflow viaproximity detection and location tracking in a healthcare environment,such as a hospital. Location tracking can be used to locate resourcessuch as mobile assets (e.g., patients, intravenous (IV) pumps, telemetryunits, wheelchairs, etc.) within the hospital. For example, locationtracking can be used to locate a “lost” or “missing” IV pump within apatient's room. Proximity detection facilitates an improvedunderstanding of how interactions occur during the patient workflow. Forexample, based on the proximity to a soap dispenser, a user (e.g., asystem administrator) can determine whether a caretaker washed theirhands prior to interacting with a patient.

Examples systems and methods disclosed herein facilitate improvedproximity detection and location tracking by creating a hospitaltracking network within the hospital using the communicationinfrastructure already installed in the hospital. Beacon tags areinstalled throughout a location or building. For example, beacon tagscan be affixed to stationary assets (e.g., patient room entry ways,sinks, water fountains, hallways, etc.) and mobile assets such ashospital beds, IV pumps, soap dispensers, etc. In some disclosedexamples, the beacon tags are also included in disposable patient tagsprovided to the patient upon admission of a hospital stay. Beacon tagsare low-cost, low-power transmitters of beacon messages. A beaconmessage (sometimes referred to herein as a “beacon”) includesinformation about the beacon tag such as a unique identifier (e.g., atag identifier such as a media access control (MAC) address) and a tagtype identifier (e.g., whether the beacon tag is affixed to afixed-location asset or to a mobile asset). In some disclosed examples,the beacon tags broadcast (e.g., advertise, communicate, transmit, etc.)beacon messages at pre-set frequencies (e.g., ten times a second, once asecond, once a minute, etc.). For example, a beacon tag affixed to afixed-location asset (e.g., a sink) may broadcast beacon messages tentimes a second, while a beacon tag affixed to a mobile asset (e.g., awheelchair) may broadcast beacon messages at relatively shorterintervals (e.g., once a second).

A reader badge is a mobile wireless bridge that facilitates mobiletracking by “listening” and receiving beacon messages broadcast bybeacon tags. The reader badge includes a BLE controller to receiveconnection-less beacon messages broadcast by beacon tags. The readerbadge also includes a Wi-Fi controller to establish a connection with anRTLS server. The reader badge may be worn or transported by hospitalcaregivers. For example, a reader badge may be worn as a lanyard orclipped to the caregiver's clothing. As the caregiver moves about thehospital, the reader badge passively collects beacon messages andcommunicates reader messages to an RTLS server at the backend of thesystem. In some examples, the reader badge collects a number (e.g., apredetermined number) of beacon messages or waits a period (e.g., apredetermined period of time) prior to communicating the readermessages. In some examples, the reader badge generates and communicatesa reader message as a beacon message from a beacon tag is received. Areader message includes information received from the beacon messagesuch as a unique identifier of the source beacon tag and a spatiallocation of the source beacon tag. In some examples, the reader badgeincludes a timestamp identifying when the beacon message was received bythe reader badge in the reader message. In some examples, the readerbadge includes a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value (e.g.,a power ratio in decibels of the measured power to one milli-watt(dBm)).

Example reader badges disclosed herein include a proximity engine toprocess the beacon messages and determine distance from the source(e.g., the beacon tag that broadcast the corresponding beacon message).For example, a hospital room may include a first beacon tag affixed to adoor, a second beacon tag affixed to an infusion pump, a third beacontag affixed to a bed, and a fourth beacon tag included in a patient tag(e.g., a disposable bracelet including patient identificationinformation such as name, sex, date of birth information). As thecaregiver moves about the hospital room, the reader badge may receivebeacon messages from each of the beacon tags. The proximity engine candetermine the RSSI strength for each of the beacon messages andassociate RSSI strength with a respective beacon tag.

In some examples, the proximity engine determines which beacon tags areproximate (e.g., near or closely located) to the reader badge. Forexample, the proximity engine can compare the RSSI strength of a beaconmessage to a threshold and if the RSSI strength satisfies the threshold(e.g., the RSSI strength is greater than a threshold), the proximityengine identifies the source beacon tag as proximate to the readerbadge. In some examples, the proximity engine discards beacon messagesthat are not proximate to the reader badge.

Example systems and methods disclosed herein include an RTLS server thatmonitors and/or reports tracking location and interactions betweenpeople and assets in an environment. For example, the RTLS server canaggregate reader messages from the one or more reader badges included inan environment (e.g., the hospital). The RTLS server may be inconnection with the reader badges via a wireless Intranet network (e.g.,a wireless local area network, etc.) and/or a wireless Internetconnection.

II. Example Operating Environment

Health information, also referred to as healthcare information and/orhealthcare data, relates to information generated and/or used by ahealthcare entity. Health information can include reader messages andRTLS server information, for example. Health information can beinformation associated with health of one or more patients, for example.Health information may include protected health information (PHI), asoutlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA), which is identifiable as associated with a particular patientand is protected from unauthorized disclosure. Health information can beorganized as internal information and external information. Internalinformation includes patient encounter information (e.g.,patient-specific data, aggregate data, comparative data, etc.) andgeneral healthcare operations information, etc. External informationincludes comparative data, expert and/or knowledge-based data, etc.Information can have both a clinical (e.g., diagnosis, treatment,prevention, etc.) purpose and an administrative (e.g., scheduling,billing, management, etc.) purpose.

Institutions, such as healthcare institutions, having complex networksupport environments and sometimes chaotically driven process flowsutilize secure handling and safeguarding of the flow of sensitiveinformation (e.g., personal privacy). A need for secure handling andsafeguarding of information increases as a demand for flexibility,volume, and speed of exchange of such information grows. For example,healthcare institutions provide enhanced control and safeguarding of theexchange and storage of sensitive patient PHI and employee informationbetween diverse locations to improve hospital operational efficiency inan operational environment typically having a chaotic-driven demand bypatients for hospital services. In certain examples, patient identifyinginformation can be masked or even stripped from certain data dependingupon where the data is stored and who has access to that data. In someexamples, PHI that has been “de-identified” can be re-identified basedon a key and/or other encoder/decoder.

A healthcare information technology infrastructure can be adapted toservice multiple business interests while providing clinical informationand services. Such an infrastructure may include a centralizedcapability including, for example, a data repository, reporting,discreet data exchange/connectivity, “smart” algorithms,personalization/consumer decision support, etc. This centralizedcapability provides information and functionality to a plurality ofusers including medical devices, electronic records, access portals, payfor performance (P4P), chronic disease models, and clinical healthinformation exchange/regional health information organization(HIE/RHIO), and/or enterprise pharmaceutical studies, home health, forexample.

Interconnection of multiple data sources helps enable an engagement ofall relevant members of a patient's care team and helps improve anadministrative and management burden on the patient for managing his orher care. Particularly, interconnecting the patient's electronic medicalrecord and/or other medical data can help improve patient care andmanagement of patient information. Furthermore, patient care complianceis facilitated by providing tools that automatically adapt to thespecific and changing health conditions of the patient and providecomprehensive education and compliance tools to drive positive healthoutcomes.

In certain examples, healthcare information can be distributed amongmultiple applications using a variety of database and storagetechnologies and data formats. To provide a common interface and accessto data residing across these applications, a connectivity framework(CF) can be provided which leverages common data models (CDM) and commonservice models (CSM) and service oriented technologies, such as anenterprise service bus (ESB) to provide access to the data.

In certain examples, a variety of user interface frameworks andtechnologies can be used to build applications for health informationsystems including, but not limited to, MICROSOFT® ASP.NET, AJAX®,MICROSOFT® Windows Presentation Foundation, GOOGLE® Web Toolkit,MICROSOFT® Silverlight, ADOBE®, and others. Applications can be composedfrom libraries of information widgets to display multi-content andmulti-media information, for example. In addition, the framework enablesusers to tailor layout of applications and interact with underlyingdata.

In certain examples, an advanced Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)with a modern technology stack helps provide robust interoperability,reliability, and performance. Example SOA includes a three-foldinteroperability strategy including a central repository (e.g., acentral repository built from Health Level Seven (HL7) transactions),services for working in federated environments, and visual integrationwith third-party applications. Certain examples provide portable contentenabling plug 'n play content exchange among healthcare organizations. Astandardized vocabulary using common standards (e.g., LOINC, SNOMED CT,RxNorm, FDB, ICD-9, ICD-10, etc.) is used for interoperability, forexample. Certain examples provide an intuitive user interface to helpminimize end-user training. Certain examples facilitate user-initiatedlaunching of third-party applications directly from a desktop interfaceto help provide a seamless workflow by sharing user, patient, and/orother contexts. Certain examples provide real-time (or at leastsubstantially real time assuming some system delay) patient data fromone or more information technology (IT) systems and facilitatecomparison(s) against evidence-based best practices. Certain examplesprovide one or more dashboards for specific sets of patients.Dashboard(s) can be based on condition, role, and/or other criteria toindicate variation(s) from a desired practice, for example.

A. Example Healthcare Information System

An information system can be defined as an arrangement ofinformation/data, processes, and information technology that interact tocollect, process, store, and provide informational output to supportdelivery of healthcare to one or more patients. Information technologyincludes computer technology (e.g., hardware and software) along withdata and telecommunications technology (e.g., data, image, and/or voicenetwork, etc.).

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an examplehealthcare-focused information system 100. The examplehealthcare-focused information system 100 can be configured to implementa variety of systems and processes including image storage (e.g.,picture archiving and communication system (PACS), etc.), imageprocessing and/or analysis, radiology reporting and/or review (e.g.,radiology information system (RIS), etc.), computerized provider orderentry (CPOE) system, clinical decision support, patient monitoring,population health management (e.g., population health management system(PHMS), health information exchange (HIE), etc.), healthcare dataanalytics, cloud-based image sharing, electronic medical record (e.g.,electronic medical record system (EMR), electronic health record system(EHR), electronic patient record (EPR), personal health record system(PHR), etc.), RTLS server, and/or other health information system (e.g.,clinical information system (CIS), hospital information system (HIS),patient data management system (PDMS), laboratory information system(LIS), cardiovascular information system (CVIS), etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the example healthcare-focused informationsystem 100 includes an input 110, an output 120, a processor 130, amemory 140, and a communication interface 150. The components of theexample healthcare-focused information system 100 can be integrated inone device or distributed over two or more devices.

The example input 110 of FIG. 1 may include a keyboard, a touch-screen,a mouse, a trackball, a track pad, optical barcode recognition, voicecommand, etc. or combination thereof used to communicate an instructionor data to the example healthcare-focused information system 100. Theexample input 110 may include an interface between systems, betweenuser(s) and the healthcare-focused information system 100, etc.

The example output 120 of FIG. 1 can provide a display generated by theprocessor 130 for visual illustration on a monitor or the like. Thedisplay can be in the form of a network interface or graphic userinterface (GUI) to exchange data, instructions, or illustrations on acomputing device via the communication interface 150, for example. Theexample output 120 may include a monitor (e.g., liquid crystal display(LCD), plasma display, cathode ray tube (CRT), etc.), light emittingdiodes (LEDs), a touch-screen, a printer, a speaker, or otherconventional display device or combination thereof.

The example processor 130 of FIG. 1 includes hardware and/or softwareconfiguring the hardware to execute one or more tasks and/or implement aparticular system configuration. The example processor 130 processesdata received at the input 110 and generates a result that can beprovided to one or more of the output 120, the memory 140, and thecommunication interface 150. For example, the example processor 130 cantake user annotation provided via the input 110 with respect to an imagedisplayed via the output 120 and can generate a report associated withthe image based on the annotation. As another example, the exampleprocessor 130 can process updated patient information obtained via theinput 110 to provide an updated patient record to an EMR via thecommunication interface 150.

The example memory 140 of FIG. 1 may include a relational database, anobject-oriented database, a data dictionary, a clinical data repository,a data warehouse, a data mart, a vendor neutral archive, an enterprisearchive, etc. The example memory 140 stores images, patient data, bestpractices, clinical knowledge, analytics, reports, etc. The examplememory 140 can store data and/or instructions for access by theprocessor 130. In certain examples, the memory 140 can be accessible byan external system via the communication interface 150.

In certain examples, the memory 140 stores and controls access toencrypted information, such as patient records, encryptedupdate-transactions for patient medical records, including usagehistory, etc. In an example, medical records can be stored without usinglogic structures specific to medical records. In such a manner, thememory 140 is not searchable. For example, a patient's data can beencrypted with a unique patient-owned key at the source of the data. Thedata is then uploaded to the memory 140. The memory 140 does not processor store unencrypted data thus minimizing privacy concerns. Thepatient's data can be downloaded and decrypted locally with theencryption key.

For example, the memory 140 can be structured according to provider,patient, patient/provider association, and document. Providerinformation may include, for example, an identifier, a name, andaddress, a public key, and one or more security categories. Patientinformation may include, for example, an identifier, a password hash,and an encrypted email address. Patient/provider association informationmay include a provider identifier, a patient identifier, an encryptedkey, and one or more override security categories. Document informationmay include an identifier, a patient identifier, a clinic identifier, asecurity category, and encrypted data, for example.

The example communication interface 150 of FIG. 1 facilitatestransmission of electronic data within and/or among one or more systems.Communication via the communication interface 150 can be implementedusing one or more protocols. In some examples, communication via thecommunication interface 150 occurs according to one or more standards(e.g., Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), HealthLevel Seven (HL7), ANSI X12N, etc.). The example communication interface150 can be a wired interface (e.g., a data bus, a Universal Serial Bus(USB) connection, etc.) and/or a wireless interface (e.g., radiofrequency, infrared, near field communication (NFC), etc.). For example,the communication interface 150 may communicate via wired local areanetwork (LAN), wireless LAN, wide area network (WAN), etc. using anypast, present, or future communication protocol (e.g., BLUETOOTH™, USB2.0, USB 3.0, etc.).

In certain examples, a Web-based portal may be used to facilitate accessto information, patient care and/or practice management, etc.Information and/or functionality available via the Web-based portal mayinclude one or more of order entry, laboratory test results reviewsystem, patient information, clinical decision support, medicationmanagement, scheduling, electronic mail and/or messaging, medicalresources, etc. In certain examples, a browser-based interface can serveas a zero footprint, zero download, and/or other universal viewer for aclient device.

In certain examples, the Web-based portal serves as a central interfaceto access information and applications, for example. Data may be viewedthrough the Web-based portal or viewer, for example. Additionally, datamay be manipulated and propagated using the Web-based portal, forexample. Data may be generated, modified, stored and/or used and thencommunicated to another application or system to be modified, storedand/or used, for example, via the Web-based portal, for example.

The Web-based portal may be accessible locally (e.g., in an office)and/or remotely (e.g., via the Internet and/or other private network orconnection), for example. The Web-based portal may be configured to helpor guide a user in accessing data and/or functions to facilitate patientcare and practice management, for example. In certain examples, theWeb-based portal may be configured according to certain rules,preferences and/or functions, for example. For example, a user maycustomize the Web portal according to particular desires, preferencesand/or requirements.

B. Example Healthcare Infrastructure

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example healthcare information system(e.g., an infrastructure) 200 including one or more subsystems such asthe example healthcare-related information system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1. The example healthcare information system 200 of FIG. 2 includesa HIS 204, a RIS 206, a PACS 208, an interface unit 210, a data center212, and a workstation 214. In the illustrated example, the HIS 204, theRIS 206, and the PACS 208 are housed in a healthcare facility andlocally archived. However, in other implementations, the HIS 204, theRIS 206, and/or the PACS 208 may be housed within one or more othersuitable locations. In certain implementations, one or more of the HIS204, the RIS 206, the PACS 208, etc., may be implemented remotely via athin client and/or downloadable software solution. Furthermore, one ormore components of the healthcare information system 200 can be combinedand/or implemented together. For example, the RIS 206 and/or the PACS208 can be integrated with the HIS 204, the PACS 208 can be integratedwith the RIS 206, and/or the three example information systems 204, 206,and/or 208 can be integrated together. In other example implementations,the healthcare information system 200 includes a subset of theillustrated information systems 204, 206, and/or 208. For example, thehealthcare information system 200 may include only one or two of the HIS204, the RIS 206, and/or the PACS 208. Information (e.g., scheduling,test results, exam image data, observations, diagnosis, etc.) can beentered into the HIS 204, the RIS 206, and/or the PACS 208 by healthcarepractitioners (e.g., radiologists, physicians, and/or technicians)and/or administrators before and/or after patient examination. One ormore of the HIS 204, the RIS 206, and/or the PACS 208 can include and/orcommunicate with an RTLS server and can communicate with equipment andsystem(s) in an operating room, patient room, etc., to track activity,correlate information, generate reports and/or next actions, and thelike.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the HIS 204 stores medicalinformation such as clinical reports, patient information, and/oradministrative information received from, for example, personnel at ahospital, clinic, and/or a physician's office (e.g., an EMR, EHR, PHR,etc.). The example RIS 206 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2 storesinformation such as, for example, radiology reports, radiology examimage data, messages, warnings, alerts, patient scheduling information,patient demographic data, patient tracking information, and/or physicianand patient status monitors. Additionally, the RIS 206 enables examorder entry (e.g., ordering an x-ray of a patient) and image and filmtracking (e.g., tracking identities of one or more people that havechecked out a film). In some examples, information in the RIS 206 isformatted according to the HL-7 (Health Level Seven) clinicalcommunication protocol. In certain examples, a medical exam distributoris located in the RIS 206 to facilitate distribution of radiology examsto a radiologist workload for review and management of the examdistribution by, for example, an administrator.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the PACS 208 stores medical images(e.g., x-rays, scans, three-dimensional renderings, etc.) as, forexample, digital images in a database or registry. In some examples, themedical images are stored in the PACS 208 using the Digital Imaging andCommunications in Medicine (DICOM) format. Images are stored in the PACS208 by healthcare practitioners (e.g., imaging technicians, physicians,radiologists) after a medical imaging of a patient and/or areautomatically transmitted from medical imaging devices to the PACS 208for storage. In some examples, the PACS 208 can also include a displaydevice and/or viewing workstation to enable a healthcare practitioner orprovider to communicate with the PACS 208.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the interface unit 210 includes aHIS interface connection 216, a RIS interface connection 218, a PACSinterface connection 220, and a data center interface connection 222.The example interface unit 210 facilities communication among the HIS204, the RIS 206, the PACS 208, and/or data center 212. In theillustrated example, the interface connections 216, 218, 220, 222 areimplemented by a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as a private network orthe Internet. Accordingly, the interface unit 210 includes one or morecommunication components such as, for example, an Ethernet device, anasynchronous transfer mode (ATM) device, an 802.11 device, a DSL modem,a cable modem, a cellular modem, etc. In turn, the data center 212communicates with the workstation 214, via a network 224, implemented ata plurality of locations (e.g., a hospital, clinic, doctor's office,other medical office, or terminal, etc.). The network 224 is implementedby, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a private network, a wiredor wireless Local Area Network, and/or a wired or wireless Wide AreaNetwork. In some examples, the interface unit 210 also includes a broker(e.g., a Mitra Imaging's PACS Broker) to allow medical information andmedical images to be transmitted together and stored together.

In the illustrated example, the interface unit 210 receives images,medical reports, administrative information, exam workload distributioninformation, and/or other clinical information from the informationsystems 204, 206, 208 via the corresponding interface connections 216,218, 220. If necessary (e.g., when different formats of the receivedinformation are incompatible), the interface unit 210 translates orreformats (e.g., into Structured Query Language (“SQL”) or standardtext) the medical information, such as medical reports, to be properlystored at the data center 212. The reformatted medical information canbe transmitted using a transmission protocol to enable different medicalinformation to share common identification elements, such as a patientname or social security number. Next, the interface unit 210 transmitsthe medical information to the data center 212 via the data centerinterface connection 222. Finally, medical information is stored in thedata center 212 in, for example, the DICOM format, which enables medicalimages and corresponding medical information to be transmitted andstored together.

The medical information is later viewable and easily retrievable at theworkstation 214 (e.g., by their common identification element, such as apatient name or record number). The workstation 214 can be any equipment(e.g., a personal computer) capable of executing software that permitselectronic data (e.g., medical reports) and/or electronic medical images(e.g., x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI scans, etc.) to be acquired, stored, ortransmitted for viewing and operation. The example workstation 214 ofFIG. 2 receives commands and/or other input from a user via, forexample, a keyboard, mouse, track ball, microphone, etc. The workstation214 is capable of implementing a user interface 226 to enable ahealthcare practitioner and/or administrator to interact with thehealthcare information system 200. For example, in response to a requestfrom a physician, the user interface 226 presents a patient medicalhistory. In other examples, a radiologist is able to retrieve and managea workload of exams distributed for review to the radiologist via theuser interface 226. In further examples, an administrator reviewsradiologist workloads, exam allocation, and/or operational statisticsassociated with the distribution of exams via the user interface 226. Insome examples, the administrator adjusts one or more settings oroutcomes via the user interface 226.

The example data center 212 of FIG. 2 is an archive to store informationsuch as images, data, medical reports, and/or, more generally, patientmedical records. In addition, the data center 212 can also serve as acentral conduit to information located at other sources such as, forexample, local archives, hospital information systems/radiologyinformation systems (e.g., the HIS 204 and/or the RIS 206), or medicalimaging/storage systems (e.g., the PACS 208 and/or connected imagingmodalities). That is, the data center 212 can store links or indicators(e.g., identification numbers, patient names, or record numbers) toinformation. In the illustrated example, the data center 212 is managedby an application server provider (ASP) and is located in a centralizedlocation that can be accessed by a plurality of systems and facilities(e.g., hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, other medical offices,and/or terminals). In some examples, the data center 212 can bespatially distant from the HIS 204, the RIS 206, and/or the PACS 208.

In the illustrated example, the example data center 212 of FIG. 2includes a server 228, a database 230, and a record organizer 232. Theserver 228 receives, processes, and conveys information to and from thecomponents of the healthcare information system 200. The database 230stores the medical information described herein and provides accessthereto. The example record organizer 232 of FIG. 2 manages patientmedical histories, for example. The record organizer 232 can also assistin procedure scheduling, for example.

Certain examples can be implemented as cloud-based clinical informationsystems and associated methods of use. An example cloud-based clinicalinformation system enables healthcare entities (e.g., patients,clinicians, sites, groups, communities, and/or other entities) to shareinformation via web-based applications, cloud storage and cloudservices. For example, the cloud-based clinical information system mayenable a first clinician to securely upload information into thecloud-based clinical information system to allow a second clinician toview and/or download the information via a web application. Thus, forexample, the first clinician may upload an x-ray image into thecloud-based clinical information system, and the second clinician mayview the x-ray image via a web browser and/or download the x-ray imageonto a local information system employed by the second clinician.

In certain examples, users (e.g., a patient and/or care provider) canaccess functionality provided by the healthcare information system 200via a software-as-a-service (SaaS) implementation over a cloud or othercomputer network, for example. In certain examples, all or part of thehealthcare information system 200 can also be provided via platform as aservice (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), etc. For example,the healthcare information system 200 can be implemented as acloud-delivered Mobile Computing Integration Platform as a Service. Aset of consumer-facing Web-based, mobile, and/or other applicationsenable users to interact with the PaaS, for example.

C. Industrial Internet Examples

The Internet of things (also referred to as the “Industrial Internet”)relates to an interconnection between a device that can use an Internetconnection to talk (e.g., communicate) with other devices on thenetwork. Using the connection, devices can communicate to triggerevents/actions (e.g., changing temperature, turning on/off, providing astatus, etc.). In certain examples, machines can be merged with “bigdata” to improve efficiency and operations, providing improved datamining, facilitate better operation, etc.

Big data can refer to a collection of data so large and complex that itbecomes difficult to process using traditional data processingtools/methods. Challenges associated with a large data set include datacapture, sorting, storage, search, transfer, analysis, andvisualization. A trend toward larger data sets is due at least in partto additional information derivable from analysis of a single large setof data, rather than analysis of a plurality of separate, smaller datasets. By analyzing a single large data set, correlations can be found inthe data, and data quality can be evaluated.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example industrial internet configuration 300. Theexample industrial internet configuration 300 includes a plurality ofhealth-related assets 310-312 (sometimes referred to herein ashealth-focused systems or infrastructures) (e.g., information systems,imaging modalities, etc.), such as a plurality of health informationsystems 100 (e.g., PACS, RIS, EMR, etc.) communicating via theindustrial internet configuration 300. The example industrial internetconfiguration 300 of FIG. 3 includes a plurality of health-relatedassets 310-312 communicating with a server 330 and an associated datastore 340 via a cloud 320.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, a plurality of health-related assets310-312 can access the cloud 320, which connects the assets 310-312 withthe server 330 and the associated data store 340. Information systems,for example, include communication interfaces to exchange informationwith the server 330 and the data store 340 via the cloud 320. Otherassets, such as medical imaging scanners, patient monitors, etc., can beoutfitted with sensors and communication interfaces to enable them tocommunicate with each other and with the server 330 via the cloud 320.

Thus, the example health-related assets 310-312 within the industrialinternet configuration 300 become “intelligent” as a network withadvanced sensors, controls, analytical-based decision support andhosting software applications. Using such an infrastructure, advancedanalytics can be provided to associated data. The analytics combinesphysics-based analytics, predictive algorithms, automation, and deepdomain expertise. Via the example cloud 320, the health-related assets310-312 and associated people can be connected to support moreintelligent design, operations, maintenance, and higher server qualityand safety, for example.

Using the industrial internet infrastructure, for example, a proprietarymachine data stream can be extracted from the asset 310. Machine-basedalgorithms and data analysis are applied to the extracted data. Datavisualization can be remote, centralized, etc. Data is then shared withauthorized users, and any gathered and/or gleaned intelligence is fedback into the assets 310-312.

D. Data Mining Examples

Imaging informatics includes determining how to tag and index a largeamount of data acquired in diagnostic imaging in a logical, structured,and machine-readable format. By structuring data logically, informationcan be discovered and utilized by algorithms that represent clinicalpathways and decision support systems. Data mining can be used to helpensure patient safety, reduce disparity in treatment, provide clinicaldecision support, etc. Mining both structured and unstructured data fromradiology reports, as well as actual image pixel data, can be used totag and index both imaging reports and the associated images themselves.

E. Example Methods of Use

Clinical workflows are typically defined to include one or more steps oractions to be taken in response to one or more events and/or accordingto a schedule. Events may include receiving a healthcare messageassociated with one or more aspects of a clinical record, opening arecord(s) for new patient(s), receiving a transferred patient, reviewingand reporting on an image, and/or any other instance and/or situationthat requires or dictates responsive action or processing. The actionsor steps of a clinical workflow may include placing an order for one ormore clinical tests, scheduling a procedure, requesting certaininformation to supplement a received healthcare record, retrievingadditional information associated with a patient, providing instructionsto a patient and/or a healthcare practitioner associated with thetreatment of the patient, radiology image reading, and/or any otheraction useful in processing healthcare information. The defined clinicalworkflows may include manual actions or steps to be taken by, forexample, an administrator or practitioner, electronic actions or stepsto be taken by a system or device, and/or a combination of manual andelectronic action(s) or step(s). While one entity of a healthcareenterprise may define a clinical workflow for a certain event in a firstmanner, a second entity of the healthcare enterprise may define aclinical workflow of that event in a second, different manner. In someexamples, different healthcare entities may treat or respond to the sameevent or circumstance in different fashions. Differences in workflowapproaches may arise from varying preferences, capabilities,requirements or obligations, standards, protocols, etc. among thedifferent healthcare entities.

In certain examples, a medical exam conducted on a patient can involvereview by a healthcare practitioner, such as a radiologist, to obtain,for example, diagnostic information from the exam. In a hospitalsetting, medical exams can be ordered for a plurality of patients, allof which require review by an examining practitioner. Each exam hasassociated attributes, such as a modality, a part of the human bodyunder exam, and/or an exam priority level related to a patientcriticality level. Hospital administrators, in managing distribution ofexams for review by practitioners, can consider the exam attributes aswell as staff availability, staff credentials, and/or institutionalfactors such as service level agreements and/or overhead costs.

Additional workflows can be facilitated such as bill processing, revenuecycle management, population health management, patient identity,consent management, etc.

III. Example Hospital Tracking Network

Real-time location services (RTLS) facilitate tracking people and assetsin an industrial setting, such as a hospital. The example RTLS systemdescribed herein is designed to create location awareness of assets bycapturing location and proximity information from beacon tags installedthroughout the hospital. Examples disclosed herein utilize reader badgesworn by healthcare workers (e.g., doctors, nurses, administrators,janitors, etc.) that receive beacon messages from beacon tags that areinstalled in and/or affixed to assets such as hallways, rooms,equipment, patients, etc. for which location and/or proximityinformation is to be collected between the beacon tags and the taggedasset. For example, the beacon tags may broadcast beacon messagesincluding a unique identifier (e.g., a signature, a MAC address, aserial number, etc.) associated with the corresponding beacon tags. Asthe healthcare workers walk around the hospital, their reader badgescollect beacon messages transmitted from beacon tags throughout thehospital. In some disclosed examples, the reader badges aggregate thebeacon messages and transmit a batch of beacon messages to an RTLSserver for processing. The example RTLS server disclosed hereinprocesses the beacon messages to create location awareness throughproximity and probability.

In some disclosed examples, beacon tags are installed in and/or attachedto fixed-location (e.g., placed on stationary (or near stationary))assets. For example, some “known location” beacon tags may be affixed tohallways, doors, windows, sinks, etc. As disclosed below, in someexamples, the RTLS server utilizes the beacon messages received from“known location” beacon tags to determine a location for the readerbadge.

In some disclosed examples, beacon tags are affixed to mobile assetssuch as equipment. For example, some “mobile location” beacon tags maybe affixed to beds, wheelchairs, patients, etc. As disclosed below, insome examples, the RTLS server utilizes the beacon messages receivedfrom the “mobile location” beacon tags to determine what assets are nearthe corresponding reader badges (e.g., the reader badge that aggregatedand transmitted a batch of beacon messages).

In addition, comparing the asset locations during different timestampintervals may be useful in determining how the assets were moved and/orwhen caregivers interacted with the assets. For example, consider anexample in which a wheelchair (e.g., a mobile-location asset) is locatedin a first patient room. In the illustrated example, assume that thewheelchair is affixed with a mobile-location asset beacon tag and thatthe first patient room is affixed with a fixed-location asset beacontag. In the illustrated example, when a caregiver wearing a reader badgewalks into the first patient room, their reader badge collects beaconmessages broadcast by the wheelchair beacon tag and the first patientroom beacon tag. In the illustrated example, the caregiver location isassigned to the first patient room based on the beacon messagesbroadcast by the first patient room beacon tag. In addition, since thewheelchair is “seen” in the same location, the wheelchair location mayalso be updated to the first patient room.

In the illustrated example, while the caregiver is in the first patientroom, their reader badge collects beacon messages broadcast by thewheelchair beacon tag and the first patient room beacon tag. If thecaregiver begins moving the wheelchair (e.g., from the first patientroom to a second patient room), their reader badge will continue tocollect beacon tags broadcast by the first patient room badge tag, butwill also begin collecting beacon messages broadcast by a second patientroom beacon tag. In the illustrated example, once the caregiver entersthe second patient room, the caregiver location is updated to the secondpatient room. Additionally, in the illustrated example, since thewheelchair is still “seen” by the caregiver (e.g., the wheelchairlocation is determined to be proximate to the caregiver), the locationof the wheelchair is also updated to the second patient room.

In the illustrated example, after the wheelchair is moved from the firstpatient room to the second patient room, confidence that the wheelchairis located in the second patient room rather than the first patient roommay be low. However, in the illustrated example, each time a caregiverwalks into the first patient room and does not “see” the wheelchair,confidence that the wheelchair is located in the first patient roomdecreases. Additionally, in the illustrated example, each time acaregiver walks into the second patient room and does “see” thewheelchair, confidence that the wheelchair is located in the secondpatient room increases. In the illustrated example, the “crowd” (e.g.,the caregivers) provides different snapshots of what is “seen” atdifferent locations and at different times. As disclosed herein, an RTLSserver may analyze the different snapshots to facilitate proximitydetection and location tracking of assets in an environment.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example environment 400 in which examplesdisclosed herein may be implemented to facilitate proximity detectionand location tracking using a mobile wireless bridge is illustrated. Theexample environment 400 of FIG. 4 includes example beacon tags 405, anexample reader badge 425 and an example real-time locations services(RTLS) server 455.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the beacon tags 405 areimplemented using low-power BLE transmitters and include a singlecoin-cell battery. In some examples, the single coin-cell batteryprovides power to the corresponding beacon tag 405 for two or moreyears. In the illustrated example, beacon tags 405 are installedthroughout the environment 400 on two types of assets. For example, oneor more beacon tag(s) 405 may be located on (e.g., affixed to)fixed-location assets such as doors, rooms, hallways, water fountains,etc. In addition, one or more beacon tag(s) 405 may be located on (e.g.,affixed to) mobile-location assets such as patients (e.g., insertedwithin a patient tag), beds, IV pumps, wheelchairs, etc. Although theillustrated example of FIG. 4 includes only two beacon tags 405, otherenvironments are likely to include additional beacon tags. For example,different environments may include tens, hundreds and/or thousands ofbeacon tags affixed to assets. In general, accuracy of the proximitydetection and location tracking of assets in an environment is increasedand/or decreased based on adding or reducing the number of beacon tagsplaced in the environment.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the example beacon tags 405periodically advertise their presence in the environment 400. Forexample, the beacon tags 405 may broadcast example beacon messages 410every one second. In other examples, the beacon tags 405 may broadcastbeacon messages 410 aperiodically and/or as a one-time event. In someexamples, the beacon tags 405 may broadcast beacon messages 410 atdifferent time intervals. For example, beacon tags 405 located onfixed-location assets may broadcast beacon messages 410 every twoseconds, while beacon tags 405 located on mobile-location assets maybroadcast beacon messages 410 every second. In some examples, beacontags located on mobile-locations assets may broadcast beacon messages410 at a first frequency (e.g., once every second) while themobile-location asset is stationary and may broadcast beacon messages410 at a second frequency (e.g., once every half-second) while themobile-location asset is moving. However, other time intervals mayadditionally or alternatively be used.

In the illustrated example, the beacon messages 410 include tagidentifying information 415 and tag-type identifying information 420.For example, tag identifying information 415 may be a unique identifierof the beacon tag 405 such as a MAC address, a serial number, analphanumeric signature, etc. The example tag-type identifyinginformation 420 identifies whether the beacon tag 405 broadcasting thebeacon message 410 is affixed to a fixed-location asset or affixed to amobile-location asset. However, the beacon messages 410 may includeadditional or alternative information. For example, the beacon messages410 may include information identifying the software version beingexecuted by the beacon tags 405, may include information identifying apower level of the beacon tag 405, etc.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the beacon messages 410 arereceived by the reader badge 425. In the illustrated example, the readerbadge 425 is worn by a hospital caregiver 426 such as a doctor, a nurse,etc. As the hospital caregiver moves through the hospital, the readerbadge 425 collects beacon messages 410 broadcast by the beacon tags 405.For example, while the hospital worker 426 is visiting a patient in anexample patient room #1, the example reader badge 410 may collect one ormore beacon message(s) from a fixed-location asset beacon tag located ona door of the patient room #1, one or more beacon message(s) from afixed-location asset beacon tag located on a sink in the patient room#1, one or more beacon message(s) from a mobile-location asset beacontag located on the patient's identification tag, one or more beaconmessage(s) from a mobile-location asset beacon tag located on a bed inthe patient room #1, etc.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the reader badge 425 generatesexample reader messages 430 in response to receiving the beacon messages410. For example, the reader badge 425 may create a reader message 430including the tag identifying information 415 and the tag-typeidentifying information 420 included in the beacon message 410 andappend example badge identifying information 435, an example timestamp440, example signal strength information 445, and example channelidentifying information 450. In the illustrated example, the badgeidentifying information 435 is a string of alphanumeric characters thatuniquely identifies the reader badge 410 (e.g., a MAC address, a serialnumber, an alphanumeric signature, etc.). The example timestamp 440identifies a date and/or time (e.g., Jan. 1, 2015, 9:10:04 pm) when thebeacon message 410 was received by the reader badge 425. The examplesignal strength information 445 identifies signal strength of the beaconmessage 410 when it was received by the reader badge 425 (e.g., areceived signal strength indication (RSSI) value). The example channelidentifying information 450 identifies a channel on which the beaconmessage 410 was received (e.g., a Bluetooth frequency channel such aschannel 37, channel 38 or channel 39).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the reader badge 425 periodicallycommunicates a group (e.g., a batch) of reader messages 430 to the RTLSserver 455. For example, the reader badge 425 may transmit one or morereader messages 430 that were collected over a period of time (e.g.,thirty seconds). Additionally or alternatively, the reader badge 425 maycommunicate one or more reader message(s) 430 aperiodically and/or as aone-time event. For example, the reader badge 425 may collect athreshold number of reader messages 430 prior to transmitting thecollected reader messages 430 to the RTLS server 455. In some examples,the reader badge 425 transmits the reader messages 430 as they arecreated by the reader badge 425.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the RTLS server 455 is a serverand/or database that facilitates proximity detection and locationtracking. In some examples, the RTLS server 455 is implemented usingmultiple devices. For example, the RTLS server 455 may include diskarrays or multiple workstations (e.g., desktop computers, workstationservers, laptops, etc.) in communication with one another.

In the illustrated example, the RTLS server 455 is in communication withthe reader badge 425 via one or more wireless networks represented byexample network 460. Example network 460 may be implemented using anysuitable wireless network(s) including, for example, one or more databusses, one or more wireless Local Area Networks (LANs), one or morecellular networks, the Internet, etc. As used herein, the phrase “incommunication,” including variances thereof (e.g., communicates, incommunication with, etc.), encompasses direct communication and/orindirect communication through one or more intermediary components anddoes not require direct physical (e.g., wired) communication and/orconstant communication, but rather additionally includes communicationat periodic or aperiodic intervals, as well as one-time events.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the RTLS server 455 utilizes thereader messages 430 to facilitate proximity detection and locationtracking of assets in the environment 400. In the illustrated example,the RTLS server 455 selects a portion of reader messages 430 receivedfrom the reader badge 425 to determine a location of the reader badge425. For example, the RTLS server 455 may process the reader messages430 to identify a first subset of reader messages 430 (e.g., one or morereader messages) that were received by the reader badge 425 during afirst window of interest (e.g., a five second window) and that werefixed-location asset tag type (e.g., based on the tag-type information420 included in the first subset of reader messages). In the illustratedexample of FIG. 4, the RTLS server 455 utilizes the signal strengthinformation 445 included in the first subset of reader messages 430 todetermine a nearest fixed-location asset. For example, a relativelystronger RSSI value may indicate that the broadcasting beacon tag 405 iscloser in proximity to the reader badge 425 than a beacon tag 405associated with a relatively weaker RSSI value. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 4, the RTLS server 455 updates the location of thereader badge 425 based on the nearest fixed-location asset.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, once the RTLS server 455associates the reader badge 425 with a location (e.g., the location ofthe nearest fixed-location asset), the RTLS server 455 identifies asecond subset of reader messages 430 (e.g., one or more reader messages)that were received by the reader badge 425 during the first window ofinterest (e.g., a five second window) and that were mobile-locationasset tag type (e.g., based on the tag-type information 420 included inthe second subset of reader messages 430). For example, the RTLS server455 may update the location of a mobile-location asset based on itsproximity to the reader badge 425.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the RTLS server 455 selects areader message of the second subset of reader messages 430 andclassifies the corresponding mobile-location assets relative location tothe reader badge 425 based on the RSSI value 455 included in theselected reader badge 430. For example, the RTLS server 455 classifiesmobile-location asset as relatively-far assets when the signal strengthinformation 455 satisfies a first threshold (e.g., the RSSI value isless than (−60) decibels). The example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4classifies mobile-location assets as relatively-immediate assets whenthe signal strength information 455 satisfies a second threshold (e.g.,the RSSI value is greater than (−40) decibels). In the illustratedexample of FIG. 4, the RTLS server 455 classifies mobile-location assetsas relatively-near assets when the signal strength information 455 doesnot satisfy the first threshold and the second threshold. For example,the RTLS server 455 may classify mobile-location assets asrelatively-near assets when the RSSI value is less than (−40) decibelsand greater than (−60) decibels.

In the illustrated of FIG. 4, depending on the relative locationclassifications, the RTLS server 455 updates the location of themobile-location asset and/or updates an asset-location confidence scoreassociated with the mobile-location asset. In the illustrated example,the asset-location confidence score represents a probability (orlikelihood) that a mobile-location asset may be found at the currentlyassigned asset-location. For example, when a mobile-location asset is“seen” in the same location, the RTLS server 455 increases theasset-location confidence score of the mobile-location asset. When themobile-location asset is “seen” in a different location, the RTLS server455 decreases the asset-location confidence score of the mobile-locationasset. Additionally, when the asset-location confidence score fails tosatisfy a location threshold (e.g., is less than a location threshold),the asset-location of the mobile-location asset may be updated based on,for example, the location of the reader badge 425 that collected thebeacon message 410 emitted from the mobile-location asset (e.g., by thebeacon tag 405 affixed to the mobile-location asset).

In the illustrated example, when a mobile-location asset is classifiedas relatively-far, the example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 discards thereader message 430 and the RTLS server 455 makes not change to thelocation of the mobile-location asset and/or the asset-locationconfidence score associated with the mobile-location asset. For example,the reader badge 425 may have collected a relatively weak beacon messageemitted from a mobile-location asset passing through the hallway outsideof the patient room #1. In some examples, the reader badge 425 mayfilter such beacon messages (e.g., beacon messages 410 that areassociated with weak (e.g., low) RSSI values) rather than communicatethe weak beacon messages to the RTLS server 455.

When a mobile-location asset is classified as a relatively-immediateasset, high signal strength (e.g., an RSSI value greater than (−40)decibels) may be indicative of a mobile-location asset that is in-frontof the hospital worker 426, is being used by the hospital worker 426and/or is being moved by the hospital worker 426. In some suchinstances, the location of the mobile-location asset may be assumed tobe the same as the location of the reader badge 425. In the illustratedexample, the example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 updates the location ofthe mobile-location asset to the location of the reader badge 425. Inaddition, the example RTLS server 455 increments the asset-locationconfidence score of the mobile-location asset (e.g., the probability ofthe mobile-location asset being located at the updated asset-location isincreased). In some examples, if the beacon tag 405 isrelatively-immediate to the reader badge 425, an assumption may be madethat the caregiver is interacting with the corresponding assets. Forexample, the caregiver may be pushing a patient in a wheelchair.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, when a mobile-location asset isclassified as a relatively-near asset (e.g., is associated with a mediumsignal strength), the example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 compares thecurrent location associated with the mobile-location asset to thelocation of the reader badge 425. In the illustrated example, the RTLSserver 455 increases the asset-location confidence score of themobile-location asset when the current asset-location is the same as thelocation of the reader badge 425. For example, the mobile-location assetis “seen” in the same location as it is currently assigned. In someexamples when the current asset-location is not the same as the locationof the reader badge 425, the example RTLS server 455 decreases theasset-location confidence score of the mobile-location asset. Inaddition, the example RTLS server 455 compares the asset-locationconfidence score of the mobile-location asset to a location thresholdand, when the asset-location confidence score fails to satisfy thelocation threshold (e.g., is less than the location threshold), the RTLSserver 455 updates the asset-location of the mobile-location asset tothe location of the reader badge 425 that received the correspondingbeacon message 410.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the example environment 400includes an example dock module 465. The example dock module 465 may beused to charge one or more reader badges 425. In some examples, the dockmodule 465 receives beacon messages 410 from beacon tags 405 and/ortransmits reader messages 430 to the RTLS server 455.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the example reader badge 425 of FIG. 4. Theexample reader badge 425 of FIG. 5 includes example light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) 505 to indicate status information. For example, the LEDs505 may indicate when the battery charge of the reader badge 425 is low,when the reader badge 425 is connected to the example RTLS server 455and/or is transmitting information (e.g., the example reader message(s)430) via the wireless network 460, when the reader badge 425 isreceiving and/or processing beacon messages 410, etc.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5, the example reader badge 425includes an example network interface 510 to facilitate collecting thebeacon messages 410 and/or transmitting the reader messages 430. Forexample, the reader badge 425 may receive (e.g., collect, detect,capture, obtain, etc.) the beacon messages 410 via an example BLEcontroller 515 and/or an infrared (IR) sensor. The example networkinterface 510 of FIG. 5 also includes one or more Wi-Fi controller(s)520 to communicate with a wireless network (e.g., the example network460 of FIG. 4). For example, the reader badge 425 may communicate one ormore reader message(s) 430 to the RTLS server 455 via a wirelessinfrastructure such as the example network 460.

The example reader badge 425 of FIG. 5 includes example user-inputcontrols 525 (e.g., buttons) to facilitate control of the reader badge425. The example reader badge 425 includes one or more sensor(s) 530 tomanage power utilization of the reader badge 425. In some examples, thesensors 530 may include a motion sensor and an internal measurement(IMU) controller (e.g., a gyroscope processor). For example, the motionsensor and/or the IMU controller may determine when the reader badge 425is at rest (e.g., placed on a table) for a period and transition thereader badge 425 from a normal power utilization state to a low-powerutilization state (e.g., a sleep state). The motion sensor and/or theIMU controller may transition the reader badge 425 to a normal powerutilization state when the reader badge 425 is not at rest (e.g., movingwith a caregiver). In some examples, transitioning the reader badge 425to the low-power utilization state may include turning the beaconmessage receiving transceiver (e.g., the BLE controller 515) off and/orthe reader message communicating controller (e.g., the Wi-Fi controller520) to conserve power.

The example reader badge 425 of FIG. 5 includes power charging circuitry535 to manage charging the reader badge 425 when connected to a powersource such as the example dock module 465 of FIG. 4. The example powercharging circuitry 535 may also include a power source (e.g., one ormore batteries) to supply power to the reader badge 425.

The example reader badge 425 of FIG. 5 also includes an example moduleconnector 540 to connect the reader badge 425 to an example dock module(e.g., an example dock module 465 described below in connection withFIG. 7). In the illustrated example, the example module connector 540 isan example micro USB connection to couple the reader badge 425 to thedock module 465.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5, the reader badge 425 includes anexample message logger 550 to record collected beacon messages. Forexample, the reader badge 425 may record one or more beacon messages andcommunicate reader messages to the RTLS server 455 in batches. In theillustrated example of FIG. 5, the reader badge 425 communicates a batchof reader messages 430 to the RTLS server 455 when a threshold intervalof time is satisfied. For example, the reader badge 425 may collectbeacon messages 410 and transmit a batch of reader messages 430collected during five second intervals. However, other implementationsare additionally or alternatively possible. For example, the readerbadge 425 may collect a threshold number (e.g., 10 beacon messages)before transmitting a batch of 10 corresponding reader messages 430 tothe RTLS server 455. Additionally or alternatively, the reader badge 425may transmit a reader message 430 once generated (e.g., after appendingreader information).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5, the message logger 550 includes anexample message tagger 555, an example proximity engine 560, an exampledata store 565 and an example timer 570. The example message logger 550includes the message tagger 555 to record collected beacon messages 410and to append reader badge information to the collected beacon messages410. For example, the message tagger 555 may record the tag identifyinginformation 415 and the tag-type identifying information 420 of thecollected beacon message 410 in the example data store 560. The examplemessage tagger 555 may also append the reader identifying information455 associated with the reader badge 425, the timestamp 440 identifyingwhen the beacon message 410 was collected by the reader badge 425, thesignal strength information 445 and the channel identifying information450. An example data table 800 representing collected beacon messages isshown in FIG. 8.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 5, the message logger 550 includesthe proximity engine 560 to determine proximity of the reader badge 425to the source beacon tag based on the signal strength information 445.For example, if the RSSI strength satisfies a proximity threshold (e.g.,the RSSI strength is at least a minimum threshold strength), theproximity engine 560 determines the source beacon tag is a proximatebeacon tag (e.g., the beacon tag 405 is relatively-near orrelatively-immediate). In some such examples, the proximity engine 560discards the received beacon message when the RSSI strength does notsatisfy the proximity threshold. Using the comparison results of theRSSI strength and the proximity threshold, the example proximity engine560 of FIG. 5 may filter beacon messages which may be broadcast bysource beacon tags located within the environment but to which thecaregiver is not proximate. For example, the hospital worker 426 may bepositioned in one corner of a patient room and the reader badge 425 mayreceive a faint beacon message 410 from a beacon tag 505 positioned inthe hallway outside of the patient room.

In the illustrated example, the reader messages 430 are stored in theexample data store 565 of FIG. 5. As described above, the readermessages 430 are the information 415, 420 included in the beacon tag 410and the information 435, 440, 445, 450 appended by the example messagetagger 555. The example data store 565 may be implemented by a volatilememory (e.g., a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM),Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory(RDRAM), etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory). Theexample data store 565 may additionally or alternatively be implementedby one or more double data rate (DDR) memories such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3,mobile DDR (mDDR), etc. The example data store 565 may additionally oralternatively be implemented by one or more mass storage devices such ashard disk drive(s), compact disk drive(s), digital versatile diskdrive(s), etc. While in the illustrated example the example data store565 is illustrated as a single database, the data store 565 may beimplemented by any number and/or type(s) of databases.

The example message logger 550 includes the example timer 570 toinitiate transmitting a batch of reader messages 430 to the RTLS server455. For example, when the timer 570 expires, the example message logger550 may cause the reader messages 430 stored in the data store 565 to becommunicated to the RTLS server 455 via, for example, the Wi-Ficontroller 520.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front clip reader badge 600 having an example frontclip 605. FIG. 6 also illustrates an example lanyard reader badge 610having an example lanyard receiver 615. The example reader badges 600,610 of FIG. 6 also include LEDs 620 and an IR sensor 625.

As described above, the example reader badge 425 may additionally oralternatively be coupled (e.g., mechanically coupled, electronicallycoupled, etc.) to the example dock module 465. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 7, the dock module 465 may be used to charge one or morereader badges 425. For example, the dock module 465 may be placed atnursing stations, break rooms, hallways, etc. A hospital worker maycouple their reader badge 425 to the dock module 465, via an examplebadge connection 705, when they are off-duty. In the illustrated exampleof FIG. 7, the dock module 465 includes an external power source 710(e.g., an AC/DC connection) to draw power from and to charge one or moreconnected reader badges 425 and one or more example LEDs 715 to indicatewhen a reader badge 425 is coupled to the dock module 465, when thereader badge 425 is charging, when the reader badge 425 is assigned to acaregiver, etc.

In some examples, the dock module 465 may operate as a fixed-locationreader badge. In the illustrated example of FIG. 7, the example dockmodule 465 includes an example network interface 720 to receive beaconmessages and/or to transmit reader messages. For example, the networkinterface 720 may include a BLE controller and/or an IR sensor toreceive the example beacon messages 410 broadcast by beacon tags 405.The example network interface 720 may additionally or alternativelyinclude a Wi-Fi controller to transmit reader messages 430 to the RTLSserver 455 via, for example, the example network 460. In some examples,the dock module 465 may generate reader messages 430 and transmit thegenerated reader messages 430 to the RTLS server 455. In some examples,the dock module 465 may receive reader messages 430 from a reader badge425 and transmit the received reader messages 430 to the RTLS server455. For example, when a reader badge 425 is docked with the dock module465, the example dock module 465 may collect reader messages 430transferred to the dock module 465 by the reader badge 425 via theexample network interface 720.

In some examples, the dock module 465 may be associated with afixed-location. For example, when a dock module 465 is positioned in areceptionist area, the location of the dock module 465 may be assignedto the receptionist area (e.g., a counter #1 in the receptionist area).In some examples, similar to the reader badges 425, the location of thedock module 465 may depend on the location of the nearest fixed-locationasset beacon tag.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example data table 800 that may be stored by theexample data store 565 of FIG. 5 to store beacon messages collected bythe reader badge 425. For example, the example message logger 550 maylog the beacon messages 410 when received. In the illustrated example,the message logger 550 appends reader information to the beaconmessages.

The example data table 800 includes an example tag identifier column805, an example tag-type identifier column 810, an example timestampcolumn 815, an example RSSI value identifying column 820 and an examplechannel number identifying column 825. The example tag identifier column805 indicates the beacon tag 405 that broadcast the corresponding beaconmessage 410. The example tag-type identifier column 810 indicates thetag-type of the beacon tag. For example, the tag-type identifier column810 may indicate whether the beacon tag is affixed to a fixed-locationasset or to a mobile-location asset. The example timestamp column 815indicates when (e.g., a date and/or time) when the corresponding beaconmessage 410 was received. The example RSSI value identifying column 820indicates the signal strength (e.g., power level) of the received beaconmessage 410. The example channel number identifying column 825 indicatesa channel on which the beacon message 410 was received (e.g., aBluetooth frequency channel such as channel 37, channel 38 or channel39). However, any other columns representing any other conditions and/orcharacteristics of the access request may additionally or alternativelybe used. Moreover, the example column(s) of the example data table 800may be implemented in any other fashion (e.g., using a different datastructure).

The example data table 800 of the illustrated example of FIG. 8 includesthree example rows 850, 855, 860 corresponding to three different beaconmessages collected by the reader badge 425. The example first row 850indicates that a beacon message was received from a beacon tag(“Entry_1”) that is affixed to a “fixed-location asset” at “0:00:01.” Inaddition, the signal strength of the beacon message corresponding theexample first row 850 was “high” (e.g., was greater than (−40) decibels)and was received on channel number “37.”

The example second row 855 indicates that a beacon message was receivedfrom a beacon tag (“Chair_1”) that is affixed to a “mobile-locationasset” at “0:00:02.” In addition, the signal strength of the beaconmessage corresponding the example second row 855 was “low” (e.g., wasless than (−60) decibels) and was received on channel number “37.”

The example third row 860 indicates that a second beacon message wasreceived from the beacon tag (“Chair_1”) that is affixed to a“mobile-location asset” at “0:00:03.” In addition, the signal strengthof the beacon message corresponding the example third row 860 was “med”(e.g., was greater than (−60) decibels and less than (−40) decibels) andwas received on channel number “38.” While three example collectedbeacon messages are represented in the example data table 800 of FIG. 8,more or fewer beacon messages may be collected.

While an example manner of implementing the reader badge 425 of FIG. 4and/or the example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 is illustrated inFIG. 5, one or more of the elements, processes and/or devicesillustrated in FIG. 5 may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted,eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the examplenetwork interface 510, the example BLE controller 515, the example Wi-Ficontroller 520, the example sensor(s) 530, the example power charger535, the example message logger 550, the example message tagger 555, theexample proximity engine 560, the example data store 565, the exampletimer 570 and/or, more generally, the example reader badge 425 of FIG. 4and/or the example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 may be implementedby hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware,software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the example networkinterface 510, the example BLE controller 515, the example Wi-Ficontroller 520, the example sensor(s) 530, the example power charger535, the example message logger 550, the example message tagger 555, theexample proximity engine 560, the example data store 565, the exampletimer 570 and/or, more generally, the example reader badge 425 of FIG. 4and/or the example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 could be implementedby one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits,programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s)(ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or fieldprogrammable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of theapparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the example networkinterface 510, the example BLE controller 515, the example Wi-Ficontroller 520, the example sensor(s) 530, the example power charger535, the example message logger 550, the example message tagger 555, theexample proximity engine 560, the example data store 565, the exampletimer 570 and/or, more generally, the example reader badge 425 of FIG. 4and/or the example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 is/are herebyexpressly defined to include a tangible computer readable storage deviceor storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), acompact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/orfirmware. Further still, the example reader badge 425 of FIG. 4 and/orthe example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 may include one or moreelements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, thoseillustrated in FIG. 5, and/or may include more than one of any or all ofthe illustrated elements, processes and devices.

Flowcharts representative of example machine-readable instructions forimplementing the example reader badge 425 of FIGS. 4 and/or 5, and/orthe example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 are shown in FIGS. 9 and10. In these examples, the machine-readable instructions comprise aprogram(s) for execution by a processor such as the processor 1112 shownin the example processor platform 1100 discussed below in connectionwith FIG. 11. The program(s) may be embodied in software stored on atangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppydisk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or amemory associated with the processor 1112, but the entire program(s)and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device otherthan the processor 1112 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicatedhardware. Further, although the example program(s) is/are described withreference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 9 and/or 10, many othermethods of implementing the example reader badge 425 of FIGS. 4 and/or5, and/or the example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6 may alternativelybe used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may bechanged, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated,or combined.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 9 and/or 10 may beimplemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/ormachine-readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readablestorage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-onlymemory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), acache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device orstorage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., forextended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarilybuffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, theterm tangible computer readable storage medium is expressly defined toinclude any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage diskand to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Asused herein, “tangible computer readable storage medium” and “tangiblemachine-readable storage medium” are used interchangeably. Additionallyor alternatively, the example processes of FIGS. 9 and/or 10 may beimplemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/ormachine-readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computerand/or machine-readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flashmemory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, acache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storagedisk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extendedtime periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarilybuffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, theterm non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined toinclude any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage diskand to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Asused herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition termin a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as theterm “comprising” is open ended. Comprising and all other variants of“comprise” are expressly defined to be open-ended terms. Including andall other variants of “include” are also defined to be open-ended terms.In contrast, the term consisting and/or other forms of consist aredefined to be close-ended terms.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 900 that may be executed to implement the example readerbadge 425 of FIGS. 4, 5 and/or 6 to process received beacon messages410. The example instructions 900 of the illustrated example of FIG. 9begin at block 902 when the example reader badge 425 receives the beaconmessage 410. For example, the BLE controller 515 (FIG. 5) may collectthe beacon message 410 broadcast by beacon tag. At block 904, theexample reader badge 425 determines the signal strength of the beaconmessage 410. For example, the example message tagger 555 (FIG. 5) maydetermine the RSSI value of the beacon message 410 when it was received.At block 906, the example reader badge 425 determines whether the signalstrength satisfies a strength threshold. For example, the exampleproximity engine 560 (FIG. 5) may compare the RSSI value to a minimumsignal strength threshold (e.g., (−60) decibels). If, at block 906, theexample proximity engine 560 determined that the signal strengthsatisfied the strength threshold, then, at block 908, the example readerbadge 425 records the beacon message. For example, the example messagetagger 555 may record the tag identifying information 415 and thetag-type identifying information 420 in the example data store 565 (FIG.5). At block 910, the example reader badge 425 tags the beacon messagewith reader badge information. For example, the message tagger 555 mayappend the reader identifying information 435 of the reader badge 425,the timestamp 440 identifying when the beacon message 410 was received,the signal strength information 445 and the channel identifyinginformation 450.

If, at block 906, the example reader badge 425 determined that thesignal strength did not satisfy the strength threshold, or, after, atblock 910, the example reader badge 425 tags the beacon message 430 withthe reader badge information 435, 440, 445, 450, then, at block 912, theexample reader badge 425 determines whether to continue processingbeacon messages. For example, the reader badge 425 may determine whetheranother beacon message was received. If, at block 912, the reader badge425 determined to continue processing beacon messages, control returnsto block 902 to receive another beacon message.

If, at block 912, the example reader badge 425 determined to stopprocessing beacon messages, the example program 900 of FIG. 9 ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 1000 that may be executed to implement the example readerbadge 425 of FIGS. 4, 5 and/or 6 to export reader messages. The exampleinstructions 1000 of the illustrated example of FIG. 10 begin at block1002 when the example reader badge 425 initiates a batch timer. Forexample, the reader badge 425 may initiate the example timer 570 (FIG.5). At block 1004, the example reader badge 425 compares the batch timervalue to a batch threshold. For example, the reader badge 425 maytransmit one or more received messages to the RTLS server 455 (FIG. 5)every five seconds. If, at block 1006, the example timer 570 determinedthat the batch timer value did not satisfy the batch threshold (e.g.,was less than five seconds), then control returns to block 1004 tocompare the batch time value to the batch threshold.

If, at block 1006, the example reader badge 425 determined that thebatch timer value satisfied the batch threshold (e.g., was equal to orgreater than five seconds), then, at block 1008, the example readerbadge 425 initiates a connection with the RTLS server 455. For example,the message logger 540 may cause the example Wi-Fi controller 520 toinitiate a connection with the RTLS server 455. At block 1010, theexample reader badge 425 sends the one or more reader message(s) 430 ofthe batch to the RTLS server 455. In some examples, the reader badge 425may transmit the one or more reader message(s) 430 via web service calls(e.g., HTTP(S) requests, etc.). At block 1012, the example reader badge425 resets the batch timer 570. At block 1014, the example reader badge425 determines whether to continue exporting reader messages to the RTLSserver 455. If, at block 1014, the example reader badge 425 determinedto continue exporting reader messages, then control returns to block1002 to initiate the batch timer 570. If, at block 1014, the examplereader badge 425 determined not to continue exporting reader messages tothe RTLS server 455, the example program 1000 of FIG. 10 ends.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 1100 capableof executing the instructions of FIGS. 9 and/or 10 to implement theexample reader badge 425 of FIGS. 4 and/or 5, and/or the example readerbadges 600, 610 of FIG. 6. The processor platform 1100 can be, forexample, a server, a personal computer, or any other type of computingdevice.

The processor platform 110 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 1112. The processor 1112 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 1112 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllersfrom any desired family or manufacturer.

The processor 1112 of the illustrated example includes a local memory1113 (e.g., a cache). The processor 1112 of the illustrated exampleexecutes the instructions to implement the example network interface510, the example BLE controller 515, the example Wi-Fi controller 520,the example sensor(s) 530, the example power charger 535, the examplemessage logger 550, the example message tagger 555, the exampleproximity engine 560, the example data store 565, the example timer 570and/or, more generally, the example reader badge 425 of FIGS. 4 and/or5, and/or the example reader badges 600, 610 of FIG. 6. The processor1112 of the illustrated example is in communication with a main memoryincluding a volatile memory 1114 and a non-volatile memory 1116 via abus 1118. The volatile memory 1114 may be implemented by SynchronousDynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory(DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any othertype of random access memory device. The non-volatile memory 1116 may beimplemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memorydevice. Access to the main memory 1114, 1116 is controlled by a memorycontroller.

The processor platform 1100 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 1120. The interface circuit 1120 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1122 are connectedto the interface circuit 1120. The input device(s) 1122 permit(s) a userto enter data and commands into the processor 1112. The input device(s)can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, acamera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, atrack-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 1124 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1120 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1124 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactileoutput device, a printer and/or speakers). The interface circuit 1120 ofthe illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics drivercard, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 1120 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data withexternal machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network1126 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform 1100 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 1128 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 1128 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAIDsystems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. The example massstorage 1128 implements the example data store 565.

The coded instructions 1132 of FIGS. 9 and/or 10 may be stored in themass storage device 1128, in the volatile memory 1114, in thenon-volatile memory 1116, and/or on a removable tangible computerreadable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4. Theexample RTLS server 455 includes an example message(s) receiver 1205, anexample messages data store 1207, an example badge location engine 1210,an example badges data store 1225, an example asset-location engine1230, an example assets data store 1250 and an example report generator1255. The example message(s) receiver 1205 of FIG. 12 receives one ormore reader message(s) 430 from the reader badge 425. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 12, the message(s) receiver 1205 receives a batch (e.g.,one or more) reader message(s) 430 periodically. For example, themessage(s) receiver 1205 may receive the batch of reader messages 430after five second intervals. Additionally or alternatively, the examplemessage(s) receiver 1205 may receive the batch of reader message(s) 430aperiodically (e.g., as they are created by the example reader 425)and/or as a one-time event.

In the illustrated example, the message(s) receiver 1205 stores thereceived reader messages 430 in the example messages data store 1207 ofFIG. 12. As described above, the reader messages 430 are the information415, 420 included in the beacon tag 410 and the information 435, 440,445, 450 appended by the example reader badge 425. An example data table1300 representing received reader messages is shown in FIG. 13. Theexample messages data store 1207 may be implemented by a volatile memory(e.g., a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory(RDRAM), etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory). Theexample messages data store 1207 may additionally or alternatively beimplemented by one or more double data rate (DDR) memories such as DDR,DDR2, DDR3, mobile DDR (mDDR), etc. The example messages data store 1207may additionally or alternatively be implemented by one or more massstorage devices such as hard disk drive(s), compact disk drive(s),digital versatile disk drive(s), etc. While in the illustrated examplethe messages data store 1207 is illustrated as a single database, themessages data store 1207 may be implemented by any number and/or type(s)of databases.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the example RTLS server 455includes the example badge location engine 1210 to associate the readerbadges 425 with corresponding locations. For example, the badge locationengine 1210 may identify the nearest beacon tag to the reader badge 425and associate the location of the nearest beacon tag with the readerbadge 425. In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the badge locationengine 1210 includes an example tag-type filterer 1215 and an exampledistance determiner 1220.

The example badge location engine 1210 of FIG. 12 includes the tag-typefilterer 1215 to process the messages logged in the messages data store1207 and identify the reader messages 430 associated with fixed-locationassets. For example, the tag-type filterer 1215 may parse the tag-typeidentifying information 420 included in the reader messages 430 toidentify the fixed-location asset reader messages. In some examples, thetag-type filterer 1215 may log the identified fixed-location assetreader messages in the badges data store 1225.

The example badge location engine 1210 of FIG. 12 includes the distancedeterminer 1220 to parse the reader messages 430 identified by thetag-type filterer 1215 and associate the location of the nearest beacontag with the reader badge 425. For example, the distance determiner 1220may parse the signal strength information 445 of the fixed-locationasset reader messages 430 and identify the reader message associatedwith the strongest (e.g., largest) RSSI value. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 12, the distance determiner 1220 associates the beacontag corresponding to the reader message with the strongest RSSI value asthe nearest beacon tag to the reader badge 425. However, othertechniques for determining the nearest beacon tag may additionally oralternatively be utilized. In the illustrated example, the distancedeterminer 1220 associates the fixed-location associated with the beacontag with the location of the reader badge 425.

In the illustrated example, the badge location engine 1210 stores thedetermined reader badge-location mappings in the example badges datastore 1225 of FIG. 12. An example data table 1400 representing readerbadges and their associated location mappings is shown in FIG. 14. Theexample badges data store 1225 may be implemented by a volatile memory(e.g., a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory(RDRAM), etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory). Theexample badges data store 1225 may additionally or alternatively beimplemented by one or more double data rate (DDR) memories such as DDR,DDR2, DDR3, mobile DDR (mDDR), etc. The example badges data store 1225may additionally or alternatively be implemented by one or more massstorage devices such as hard disk drive(s), compact disk drive(s),digital versatile disk drive(s), etc. While in the illustrated examplethe badges data store 1225 is illustrated as a single database, thebadges data store 1225 may be implemented by any number and/or type(s)of databases.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the example RTLS server 455includes the example asset-location engine 1230 to associatemobile-location assets with corresponding locations. In some examples,the locations determined by the asset-location engine 1230 may be usedto track the location of the mobile-location asset through anenvironment 400 of FIG. 4 such as a hospital. For example, by comparingthe location of a mobile-location asset (e.g., a wheelchair) over two ormore intervals, the example RTLS server 455 may determine whether themobile-location asset is moving (e.g., the current location is differentthan a previously-associated location) or is stationary (e.g., thecurrent location is the same location as a previously-associatedlocation). In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the asset-locationengine 1230 includes an example tag-type filterer 1235, an examplelocation classifier 1240 and an example location handler 1245.

The example asset-location engine 1230 of FIG. 12 includes the tag-typefilterer 1235 to process the messages logged in the messages data store1207 and identify the reader messages 430 associated withmobile-location assets. For example, the tag-type filterer 1235 mayparse the tag-type identifying information 420 included in the readermessages 430 to identify the mobile-location asset reader messages. Insome examples, the tag-type filterer 1235 may log the identifiedmobile-location asset reader messages in the assets data store 1250.

The example asset-location engine 1230 of FIG. 12 includes the locationclassifier 1240 to classify the location of the beacon tagscorresponding to the mobile-location asset reader messages relative tothe location of the reader badge 425. For example, the locationclassifier 1240 may classify the locations of the beacon tags relativeto the location of the reader badge 425 based on signal strength (e.g.,the signal strength information 445 included in the corresponding readermessage 430). In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the locationclassifier 1240 classifies a beacon tag as relatively-far from thereader badge 425 when the signal strength included in the correspondingreader message 430 is low (e.g., the RSSI value is less than (−60)decibels). The example location classifier 1240 classifies a beacon tagas relatively-immediate to the reader badge 425 when the signal strengthincluded in the corresponding reader message 430 is high (e.g., the RSSIvalue is greater than (−40) decibels). The example location classifier1240 classifies a beacon tag as relatively-near to the reader badge 425when the signal strength included in the corresponding reader message430 is medium (e.g., the RSSI value is greater than (−60) decibels andless than (−40) decibels).

In some examples, the location classifier 1240 may classify the locationof the beacon tags based on the channel identifying information 450included in the reader message 430. For example, beacon messagesbroadcast over a first channel may exhibit high variance in their signalstrengths (e.g., a ten decibel range), beacon messages broadcast over asecond channel may exhibit low variance in their signal strengths (e.g.,a four decibel range), and beacon messages broadcast over a thirdchannel may be susceptible to “bounce” events (e.g., beacon messagesthat are indirectly received by the reader badge 425 such as beaconmessages 430 that bounce off of walls). In some such examples, theexample location classifier 1240 may weight signal strength informationand/or determined proximity relative to the reader badge based on theircorresponding channel information. For example, if two beacon messagesassociated with the same signal strength are collected at the readerbadge 425, but the first beacon message was broadcast over the secondchannel (e.g., associated with low variance) and the second beaconmessage was broadcast over the third channel (e.g., associated with“bounce” events), the example location classifier 1240 may determinethat the first beacon message is relatively more reliable than thesecond beacon message in determining the proximity.

The example asset-location engine 1230 of FIG. 12 includes the locationhandler 1245 to determine a location of the mobile-location assets basedon their location classifications. The example location handler 1245 ofFIG. 12 also manages confidence scores associated with themobile-location assets. In some examples, the asset-location confidencescores may represent a likelihood that a mobile-location asset is at itscurrent location. The example location handler 1245 of FIG. 12 storesthe determined mobile-location asset-location mappings and theircorresponding confidence scores in the example assets data store 1250.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, when an asset-location isrelatively-far from the reader badge 425, the example location handler1245 does not update the location of the asset. The example locationhandler 1245 also makes no change to the confidence score associatedwith the asset and its current location mapping.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, when an asset-location isrelatively-immediate to the reader badge 425, the example locationhandler 1245 updates the location of the asset to the location of thereader badge 425. For example, the location handler 1245 may retrievethe corresponding reader badge-location mapping from the badges datastore 1225 and update the corresponding mobile-location asset-locationmapping in the assets data store 1250. The example location handler 1245also increments the asset-location confidence score of the correspondingmobile-location asset-location mapping in the assets data store 1250. Insome examples, the location handler 1245 may determine whether thecurrent asset-location confidence score satisfies a maximum scorethreshold (e.g., the current asset-location confidence score is lessthan the maximum score threshold). If the current asset-locationconfidence score does not satisfy the maximum score threshold (e.g., thecurrent asset-location score is equal to the maximum score threshold),the location handler 1245 may not increment the current asset-locationconfidence score.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, when an asset-location isrelatively-near to the reader badge 425, the example location handler1245 compares the current asset-location to the location of the readerbadge 425. For example, the location handler 1245 may retrieve thecorresponding reader badge-location mapping from the badges data store1225 and compare the reader badge location to the current asset-locationretrieved from the assets data store 1250. In the illustrated example,when the reader badge-location and the current asset-location are thesame, the example location handler 1245 increments the asset-locationconfidence score of the corresponding mobile-location asset-locationmapping in the assets data store 1250. However, when the currentasset-location confidence score does not satisfy the maximum scorethreshold (e.g., the current asset-location score is equal to themaximum score threshold), the location handler 1245 may not incrementthe current asset-location confidence score.

In some examples when the asset-location is relatively-near to thereader badge 425 but the reader badge-location and the currentasset-location are not the same, the example location handler 1245decrements the location confidence score of the correspondingmobile-location asset-location mapping in the assets data store 1250. Insome examples, the location handler 1245 may determine whether theupdated asset-location confidence score satisfies a minimum scorethreshold (e.g., the current asset-location confidence score is greaterthan the minimum score threshold). In the illustrated example, when thecurrent asset-location confidence score does not satisfy the minimumscore threshold (e.g., the current asset-location score is equal to theminimum score threshold), the location handler 1245 updates the locationof the asset to the location of the reader badge 425. For example, thelocation handler 1245 may retrieve the corresponding readerbadge-location mapping from the badges data store 1225 and update thecorresponding mobile-location asset-location mapping in the assets datastore 1250. The example location handler 1245 also resets theasset-location confidence score of the corresponding mobile-locationasset-location mapping in the assets data store 1250. For example, thelocation handler 1245 may set the asset-location confidence score toone.

In the illustrated example, the asset-location engine 1230 stores thedetermined mobile-location asset-location mappings in the example assetsdata store 1250 of FIG. 12. An example data table 1500 representingmobile-location assets and their associated location mappings is shownin FIG. 15. The example assets data store 1250 may be implemented by avolatile memory (e.g., a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory(SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic RandomAccess Memory (RDRAM), etc.) and/or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a flashmemory). The example assets data store 1250 may additionally oralternatively be implemented by one or more double data rate (DDR)memories such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3, mobile DDR (mDDR), etc. The exampleassets data store 1250 may additionally or alternatively be implementedby one or more mass storage devices such as hard disk drive(s), compactdisk drive(s), digital versatile disk drive(s), etc. While in theillustrated example the assets data store 1250 is illustrated as asingle database, the assets data store 1250 may be implemented by anynumber and/or type(s) of databases.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, the example report generator 1255generates reports based on information included in the example messagesdata store 1207, the example badges data store 1225 and/or the exampleassets data store 1250. The reports may identify different aspects ofproximity detection and/or location tracking of assets in the exampleenvironment. For example, the report generator 1255 may generate areport identifying the current locations of one or more reader badgesand/or mobile-location assets in the environment. In some examples, thereport generator 1255 may generate a report identifying mobile-locationassets that are proximate to a reader badge. For example, the reportgenerator 1255 may retrieve the reader badge location information fromthe badges data store 1255 and query the assets data store forfixed-location assets with a matching location. In some examples, thereport generator 1255 may generate a report tracking a location of amobile-location asset through the example environment. For example, thereport generator 1255 may retrieve the mobile-location asset-locationmappings for the mobile-location asset over different timestampintervals from the assets data store 1250. In some such examples, thereport generator 1255 may also include a map of the environment thattracks the movement of the mobile-location asset.

In some examples, the example report generator 1255 of FIG. 12 maygenerate reports identifying adherence to procedures. For example, ahospital procedure may state that doctors are required to wash theirhands when they enter a patient room. In some such instances, theexample report generator 1255 may identify one or more reader badge(s)that were assigned to a doctor and track the movement of the doctorthrough the environment, and, more particularly, through patient roomswhile they are visiting patients. However, the report generator 1255 ofFIG. 12 may generate additional or alternative reports.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example data table 1300 that may be stored by theexample messages data store 1207 of FIG. 12 to store reader messages 430received from the reader beacon 425. For example, the example messagemessage(s) receiver 1205 of FIG. 12 may log the one or more readermessage(s) 430 when received.

The example data table 1300 includes an example reader identifier column1305, an example tag identifier column 1310, an example tag-typeidentifier column 1315, an example timestamp column 1320, an exampleRSSI value identifying column 1325 and an example channel numberidentifying column 1330. The example reader identifier column 1305indicates the reader badge that transmitted the one or more readermessage(s) to the RTLS server 455. The example tag identifier column1310 indicates the beacon tag 405 that broadcast the correspondingreader message 430. The example tag-type identifier column 1315indicates the tag-type of the beacon tag. For example, the tag-typeidentifier column 1315 may indicate whether the beacon tag is affixed toa fixed-location asset or to a mobile-location asset. The exampletimestamp column 1320 indicates when (e.g., a date and/or time) when thecorresponding beacon message 410 was received. The example RSSI valueidentifying column 1325 indicates the signal strength (e.g., powerlevel) of the received beacon message 410. The example channel numberidentifying column 1330 indicates a channel on which the beacon message410 was received (e.g., a Bluetooth frequency channel such as channel37, channel 38 or channel 39). However, any other columns representingany other conditions and/or characteristics of the access request mayadditionally or alternatively be used. Moreover, the example column(s)of the example data table 800 may be implemented in any other fashion(e.g., using a different data structure).

The example data table 1300 of the illustrated example of FIG. 13includes three example rows 1350, 1355, 1360 corresponding to threedifferent reader messages received by the RTLS server 455. The examplefirst row 1350 indicates that a “Reader 1” reader badge received abeacon message from a beacon tag (“Entry_1”) that is affixed to a“fixed-location asset” at “0:00:01.” In addition, the signal strength ofthe beacon message corresponding the example first row 1350 was “high”(e.g., was greater than or equal to (−40) decibels) and was received onchannel number “37.”

The example second row 1355 indicates that a “Reader 1” reader badgereceived a beacon message from a beacon tag (“Chair_1”) that is affixedto a “mobile-location asset” at “0:00:02.” In addition, the signalstrength of the beacon message corresponding the example second row 1355was “low” (e.g., was less than or equal to (−60) decibels) and wasreceived on channel number “37.”

The example third row 1360 indicates that a “Reader_1” reader badgereceived a second beacon message from the beacon tag (“Chair_1”) that isaffixed to a “mobile-location asset” at “0:00:03.” In addition, thesignal strength of the beacon message corresponding the example thirdrow 1360 was “med” (e.g., was greater than (−60) decibels and less than(−40) decibels) and was received on channel number “38.” While threeexample received reader messages are represented in the example datatable 1300 of FIG. 13, more or fewer reader messages may be received atthe RTLS server 455.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example data table 1400 that may be stored by theexample badges data store 1225 of FIG. 12 to store reader badge-locationmappings. For example, the example badge location engine 1210 of FIG. 12may log the reader badge and the associated location during particularintervals in the badges data store 1225.

The example data table 1400 includes an example reader identifier column1405, an example tag identifier column 1410, an example timestampinterval column 1415 and an example reader badge location identifyingcolumn 1420. The example reader identifier column 1405 indicates areader badge for which a location mapping is determined. The example tagidentifier column 1410 indicates the nearest beacon tag 405 to thereader badge 425. For example, tag identifier column 1410 may identifythe fixed-location asset beacon tag that broadcast a beacon message thatwas collected by the corresponding reader badge with the strongestsignal strength. The example timestamp interval column 1415 indicates aninterval of time during which the reader badge-location mapping isapplicable. For example, reader badge-location mappings may be preparedfor a reader badge across different time periods. The example readerbadge location identifying column 1420 indicates the location associatedwith the reader badge during the corresponding timestamp interval.However, any other columns representing any other conditions and/orcharacteristics of the access request may additionally or alternativelybe used. Moreover, the example column(s) of the example data table 1400may be implemented in any other fashion (e.g., using a different datastructure).

The example data table 1400 of the illustrated example of FIG. 14includes three example rows 1450, 1455, 1460 corresponding to threedifferent reader badge-location mappings determined by the RTLS server455. The example first row 1450 indicates that during a first timestampinterval (“0:00:00-0:00:05”), a “Reader 1” reader badge was determinedto be located in entry #1 of a patient room #1. The location associatedwith the “Reader 1” reader badge during the first timestamp interval wasdetermined by the proximity of the “Reader 1” reader badge to the“Entry_1” beacon tag.

The example second row 1455 indicates that during a second timestampinterval (“0:00:10-0:00:15”), the “Reader 1” reader badge was determinedto be located at a water fountain #2 in hallway #12. The locationassociated with the “Reader 1” reader badge during the second timestampinterval was determined by the proximity of the “Reader 1” reader badgeto the “water fountain 2” beacon tag.

The example third row 1460 indicates that during a third timestampinterval (“0:02:20-0:02:25”), the “Reader 1” reader badge was determinedto be located at a sink #2 in patient room #1. The location associatedwith the “Reader 1” reader badge during the third timestamp interval wasdetermined by the proximity of the “Reader 1” reader badge to the “sink2” beacon tag. While three example reader badge-location mappings arerepresented in the example data table 1400 of FIG. 14, more or fewerreader badge-location mappings may be generated by the example RTLSserver 455.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example data table 1500 that may be stored by theexample assets data store 1250 of FIG. 12 to store mobile-locationasset-location mappings. For example, the example asset-location engine1230 of FIG. 12 may log the mobile-location asset beacon tag and theassociated location during particular intervals in the assets data store1250. In the illustrated example, the asset-location engine 1230 alsorecords an asset-location confidence score associated with the currentlocation of the mobile-location asset.

The example data table 1500 includes an example tag identifier column1505, an example current location identifying column 1510, an exampletimestamp interval column 1415 and an example asset-location confidencescore column 1520. The example tag identifier column 1505 indicates abeacon tag, and, as a result, a mobile-location asset, for which alocation mapping is determined. The example current location identifyingcolumn 1510 indicates the current location associated with thecorresponding mobile-location asset. The example timestamp intervalcolumn 1515 indicates an interval of time during which themobile-location asset-location mapping is applicable. For example,mobile-location asset-location mappings may be prepared formobile-location asset across different time periods. The exampleasset-location confidence score column 1520 indicates a confidence scoreassociated with the current location of the correspondingmobile-location asset. However, any other columns representing any otherconditions and/or characteristics of the access request may additionallyor alternatively be used. Moreover, the example column(s) of the exampledata table 1500 may be implemented in any other fashion (e.g., using adifferent data structure).

The example data table 1500 of the illustrated example of FIG. 15includes four example rows 1550, 1555, 1560, 1565 corresponding to fourdifferent mobile-location asset-location mappings determined by the RTLSserver 455. The example first row 1550 indicates that during a firsttimestamp interval (“0:00:00-0:00:05”), a “Chair #2” mobile-locationasset was determined to be located in entry #1 of a patient room #1. Theexample first row 1550 also indicates that the confidence score of theasset-location mapping is “37.” In the illustrated example, if asubsequent reader message 430 indicates that the “Chair #2”mobile-location asset is relatively-near and/or relatively-immediate toa reader badge (e.g., the reader badge 425) assigned to the entry #1 ofthe patient room #1, the asset-location confidence score associated withthe “Chair #2” being located in the entry #1 of the patient room #1 maybe increased to “38.” In other examples, if a subsequent reader message430 indicates that the “Chair #2” mobile-location asset isrelatively-far from the reader badge 425, the asset-location confidencescore associated with the “Chair #2” being located in the entry #1 ofthe patient room #1 may be decreased to “36.”

The example second row 1555 indicates that during the first timestampinterval (“0:00:00-0:00:05”), a “Chair #3” mobile-location asset wasdetermined to be located in a closet #3 of a hallway #2. The examplesecond row 1555 also indicates that the confidence score of theasset-location mapping is “1.” In the illustrated example, if asubsequent reader message 430 indicates that the “Chair #3”mobile-location asset is relatively-near and/or relatively-immediate toa reader badge (e.g., the reader badge 425) assigned to the closet #3 ofthe hallway #2, the asset-location confidence score associated with the“Chair #3” being located in the closet #3 of the hallway #2 may beincreased to “2.” In other examples, if a subsequent reader message 430indicates that the “Chair #3” mobile-location asset is relatively-farfrom the reader badge 425, the asset-location confidence scoreassociated with the “Chair #3” being located in the closet #3 of thehallway #2 may be decreased to “0.” In some such examples, theasset-location engine 1230 may determine that the updated asset-locationconfidence score (“0”) is less than a minimum score threshold (e.g.,“1”) and update the current location information of the “Chair #3”mobile-location asset during the first timestamp interval to a currentlocation assigned to a reader badge 425 that transmitted thecorresponding reader message 430.

The example third row 1560 indicates that during a second timestampinterval (“0:02:00-0:02:05”), a “Walking Cane #12” mobile-location assetwas determined to be located at sink #2 of a patient room #2. Theexample third row 1560 also indicates that the confidence score of theasset-location mapping is “50.” In the illustrated example, if asubsequent reader message 430 indicates that the “Walking Cane #12”mobile-location asset is relatively-near and/or relatively-immediate toa reader badge (e.g., the reader badge 425) assigned to the sink #3 ofthe patient room #2, the asset-location confidence score associated withthe “Walking Cane #12” being located at the sink #3 of the patient room#2 may be increased to “51.” In some such examples, the asset-locationengine 1230 may determine whether the current asset-location confidencescore (“50”) satisfies a maximum score threshold (e.g., “50”) and, ifso, not increment the asset-location confidence score. In otherexamples, if a subsequent reader message 430 indicates that the “WalkingCane #12” mobile-location asset is relatively-far from the reader badge425, the asset-location confidence score associated with the “WalkingCane #12” being located at the sink #2 of the patient room #2 may bedecreased to “49.”

The example fourth row 1565 indicates that during the second timestampinterval (“0:02:00-0:02:05”), the “Chair #2” mobile-location asset wasdetermined to be located at a water fountain #2 of a hallway #12. Theexample fourth row 1560 also indicates that the confidence score of theasset-location mapping is “13.” In the illustrated example, if asubsequent reader message 430 indicates that the “Chair #2”mobile-location asset is relatively-near and/or relatively-immediate toa reader badge (e.g., the reader badge 425) assigned to the waterfountain #2 of hallway #12, the asset-location confidence scoreassociated with the “Chair #2” being located at the water fountain #2 ofhallway #12 may be increased to “14.” In other examples, if a subsequentreader message 430 indicates that the “Chair #2” mobile-location assetis relatively-far from the reader badge 425, the asset-locationconfidence score associated with the “Chair #2” being located at thewater fountain #2 of hallway #12 may be decreased to “12.”

While four example received mobile-location asset-location mappings andcorresponding asset-location confidence scores are represented in theexample data table 1500 of FIG. 15, more or fewer mobile-locationasset-location mappings and corresponding asset-location confidencescores may be generated by the example RTLS server 455.

While an example implementation of the RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 isillustrated in FIG. 12, one or more of the elements, processes and/ordevices illustrated in FIG. 12 may be combined, divided, re-arranged,omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, theexample message(s) receiver 1205, the example messages data store 1207,the example badge location engine 1210, the example tag-type filterer1215, the example distance determiner 1220, the example badges datastore 1225, the example asset-location engine 1230, the example tag-typefilterer 1235, the example location classifier 1240, the examplelocation handler 1245, the example report generator 1255 and/or, moregenerally, the example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 may be implemented byhardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware,software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the examplemessage(s) receiver 1205, the example messages data store 1207, theexample badge location engine 1210, the example tag-type filterer 1215,the example distance determiner 1220, the example badges data store1225, the example asset-location engine 1230, the example tag-typefilterer 1235, the example location classifier 1240, the examplelocation handler 1245, the example report generator 1255 and/or, moregenerally, the example RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 could be implemented byone or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmableprocessor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)),programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logicdevice(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of the apparatus or system claimsof this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmwareimplementation, at least one of the example message(s) receiver 1205,the example messages data store 1207, the example badge location engine1210, the example tag-type filterer 1215, the example distancedeterminer 1220, the example badges data store 1225, the exampleasset-location engine 1230, the example tag-type filterer 1235, theexample location classifier 1240, the example location handler 1245, theexample report generator 1255 and/or, more generally, the example RTLSserver 455 of FIG. 4 is/are hereby expressly defined to include atangible computer readable storage device or storage disk such as amemory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-raydisk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, theexample RTLS server 455 of FIG. 4 may include one or more elements,processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, thoseillustrated in FIG. 12, and/or may include more than one of any or allof the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

Flowcharts representative of example machine-readable instructions forimplementing the example RTLS server 455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 12 are shownin FIGS. 16-18. In these examples, the machine-readable instructionscomprise a program(s) for execution by a processor such as the processor1912 shown in the example processor platform 1900 discussed below inconnection with FIG. 19. The program(s) may be embodied in softwarestored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM,a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-raydisk, or a memory associated with the processor 1912, but the entireprogram(s) and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by adevice other than the processor 1912 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware. Further, although the example program(s) is/aredescribed with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIGS. 16, 17and/or 18, many other methods of implementing the example RTLS server455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 12 may alternatively be used. For example, theorder of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of theblocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 16, 17 and/or 18 maybe implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/ormachine-readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readablestorage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-onlymemory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), acache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device orstorage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., forextended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarilybuffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, theterm tangible computer readable storage medium is expressly defined toinclude any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage diskand to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Asused herein, “tangible computer readable storage medium” and “tangiblemachine-readable storage medium” are used interchangeably. Additionallyor alternatively, the example processes of FIGS. 16, 17 and/or 18 may beimplemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/ormachine-readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computerand/or machine-readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flashmemory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, acache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storagedisk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extendedtime periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarilybuffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, theterm non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined toinclude any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage diskand to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Asused herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition termin a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as theterm “comprising” is open ended. Comprising and all other variants of“comprise” are expressly defined to be open-ended terms. Including andall other variants of “include” are also defined to be open-ended terms.In contrast, the term consisting and/or other forms of consist aredefined to be close-ended terms.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 1600 that may be executed to implement the example RTLSserver 455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 12 to facilitate proximity detection andlocation tracking. The example instructions 1600 of the illustratedexample of FIG. 16 begin at block 1602 when the example RTLS server 455receives one or more reader message(s) 430 from a reader badge 425. Forexample, the message(s) receiver 1205 (FIG. 12) may receive one or morereader message(s) 430 via the example network 460 (FIG. 4). In someexamples, the message(s) receiver 1205 records the received readermessage(s) in the example messages data store 1207 (FIG. 12). At block1604, the example RTLS server 455 associates a location with the readerbadge. For example, the example badge location engine 1210 may determinea nearest fixed-location asset beacon tag to the reader badge 425 andassign the location of the fixed-location asset to the reader badge 425.At block 1606, the example RTLS server 455 updates locations ofmobile-location asset(s). For example, the example asset-location engine1230 (FIG. 12) may identify one or more mobile-location asset(s)relatively-near or relatively-immediate to the reader badge 425 andupdate the location of the mobile-location asset and/or update anasset-location confidence score associated with the current location ofthe mobile-location asset.

At block 1608, the example RTLS server 455 determines whether tocontinue proximity detection and location tracking. If, at block 1608,the example RTLS server 455 determined to continue proximity detectionand location tracking, then control returns to block 1602 to receive oneor more reader message(s) from a reader badge.

If, at block 1608, the example RTLS server 455 determined not tocontinue proximity detection and location tracking, then, at block 1610,the example RTLS server 455 determines whether to generate a report. Forexample, the RTLS server 455 may receive a request to generate a reportregarding one or more reader badge(s), one or more mobile-locationasset(s) and/or adherence of one or more healthcare worker(s) toprocedure(s) of the hospital. If, at block 1610, the RTLS server 455determined to generate a report, then, at block 1612, the example reportgenerator 1255 (FIG. 12) generates a report. For example, the reportgenerator 1255 may generate a report based on conditions of a request togenerate a report (e.g., based on one or more reader badge(s), one ormore mobile-location asset(s) and/or adherence of one or more healthcareworker(s) to procedure(s) of the hospital).

If, at block 1610, the example RTLS server 455 determined not togenerate a report, or, after the example report generator 1255 generateda report at block 1612, then the example program 1600 of FIG. 16 ends.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 1700 that may be executed to implement the example RTLSserver 455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 12 to assign a location to a reader badge.The example method 1700 may be used to implement block 1604 of FIG. 16.The example instructions 1700 of the illustrated example of FIG. 17begin at block 1702 when the example badge location engine 1210 (FIG.12) receives a batch (e.g., one or more) reader message(s) 430. Forexample, the badge location engine 1210 may retrieve one or more readermessage(s) 430 from the example messages data store 1207 that areassociated with a timestamp interval and that were received at a samereader badge 425. At block 1704, the example badge location engine 1210(FIG. 12) identifies one or more reader message(s) 430 that are of“fixed-location” tag type. For example, the example tag-type filterer1215 (FIG. 12) may parse the tag-type identifying information 420included in the reader messages 430 to identify the fixed-location assetreader messages.

At block 1706, the example badge location engine 1210 identifies anearest beacon tag to the reader badge. For example, the exampledistance determiner 1220 (FIG. 12) may parse the fixed-location tag-typereader message(s) for the strongest signal strength. The exampledistance determiner 1220 may associate the beacon tag 405 correspondingto the strongest signal strength as the nearest beacon tag to the readerbadge. At block 1708, the example badge location engine 1210 updates thelocation assigned to the reader badge based on the nearest beacon tag.For example, the distance determiner 1220 may update a readerbadge-location mapping in the badges data store 1225 during thetimestamp interval to the fixed-location associated with the nearestbeacon tag. At block 1710, the example badge location engine 1210determines whether to continue processing reader badge locations. If, atblock 1710, the example badge location engine 1210 determined tocontinue processing reader badge locations (e.g., the messages datastore 1207 includes unprocessed reader message(s)), then control returnsto block 1702 to receive a batch of reader message(s). If, at block1710, the example badge location engine 1210 determined not to continueprocessing reader badge locations, the example program 1700 of FIG. 17ends.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions 1800 that may be executed to implement the example RTLSserver 455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 12 to assign a location to mobile-locationassets. For example, the example instructions 1800 of the illustratedexample may be executed to “crowd-source” a location of an asset basedon, for example, an asset location confidence score. The example method1800 may be used to implement block 1606 of FIG. 16. The exampleinstructions 1800 of the illustrated example of FIG. 18 begin at block1802 when the example asset-location engine 1230 (FIG. 12) receives abatch (e.g., one or more) reader message(s) 430. For example, theasset-location engine 1230 may retrieve one or more reader message(s)430 from the example messages data store 1207 that are associated with atimestamp interval and that were received at a same reader badge 425. Atblock 1804, the example asset-location engine 1230 identifies one ormore reader message(s) 430 that are of “mobile-location” tag type. Forexample, the example tag-type filterer 1235 (FIG. 12) may parse thetag-type identifying information 420 included in the reader messages 430to identify the mobile-location asset reader messages. At block 1806,the example asset-location engine 1230 selects a reader message and thecorresponding mobile-location asset to process.

At block 1808, the example asset-location engine 1230 classifies alocation of the corresponding mobile-location asset relative to thelocation of the reader badge 425 that received the reader message 430.For example, the example location classifier 1240 (FIG. 12) may classifya mobile-location asset as relatively-far from the reader badge 425 whenthe signal strength associated with the selected reader message 430 islow (e.g., is less than or equal to (−60) decibels), may classify amobile-location asset as relatively-immediate to the reader badge 425when the signal strength associated with the selected reader message 430is high (e.g., is greater than or equal to (−40) decibels), and mayclassify a mobile-location asset as relatively-near to the reader badge425 when the signal strength associated with the selected reader message430 is medium (e.g., is greater than (−60) decibels and less than (−40)decibels). However, other ranges may additionally or alternatively beused.

At block 1810, the example asset-location engine 1230 determines whetherthe asset-location is classified as relatively-far to the reader badge425 (e.g., the signal strength is less than or equal to (−60) decibels).If, at block 1810, the example asset-location engine 1230 determinedthat the asset-location is classified as relatively-far, then, at block1812, no change is made to the asset-location and no change is made tothe corresponding asset-location confidence score. The example program1800 of FIG. 18 then ends.

If, at block 1810, the example asset-location engine 1230 determinedthat the asset-location is not classified as relatively-far, then, atblock 1814, the example asset-location engine 1230 determines whetherthe asset-location is classified as relatively-immediate to the readerbadge 425 (e.g., the signal strength is greater than or equal to (−40)decibels). If, at block 1814, the example asset-location engine 1230determined that the asset-location is classified asrelatively-immediate, then, at block 1816, the example asset-locationengine 1230 updates the asset-location to the reader badge location. Forexample, the example location handler 1245 (FIG. 12) may retrieve thecorresponding reader badge-location mapping from the badges data store1225 and update the mobile-location asset-location mapping in the assetsdata store 1250 accordingly. Control then proceeds to block 1820 toincrement the location confidence score corresponding to the asset. Insome examples, the location handler 1245 may not increment the locationconfidence score if, for example, the current asset-location confidencescore satisfies a maximum score threshold. The example program 1800 ofFIG. 18 then ends.

If, at block 1814, the example asset-location engine 1230 determinedthat the asset-location is not classified as relatively-immediate, then,at block 1818, the example asset-location engine 1230 determines whetherthe current location associated with the mobile-location asset is thesame as the location assigned to the reader badge 425. If, at block1818, the example asset-location engine 1230 determined that the currentlocation associated with the mobile-location asset is the same as thelocation assigned to the reader badge 425, then, at block 1820, theexample location handler 1245 increments the location confidence scorecorresponding to the asset. In some examples, the location handler 1245may not increment the location confidence score if, for example, thecurrent asset-location confidence score satisfies a maximum scorethreshold. The example program 1800 of FIG. 18 then ends.

If, at block 1818, the example asset-location engine 1230 determinedthat the current location associated with the mobile-location asset isnot the same as the location assigned to the reader badge 425, then, atblock 1822, the example asset-location engine 1230 decrements thelocation confidence score corresponding to the asset. For example, thelocation handler 1245 may decrement the corresponding asset-locationconfidence score in the assets data store 1250. At block 1824, theexample asset-location engine 1230 determines whether the updatedasset-location confidence score satisfies a confidence threshold. Forexample, the location handler 1245 may determine whether the updatedasset-location confidence score is greater than or equal to a minimumscore (e.g., one). If, at block 1824, the asset-location engine 1230determined that the updated asset-location confidence score is greaterthan or equal to the minimum score (e.g., one), the example program 1800of FIG. 18 ends.

If, at block 1824, the asset-location engine 1230 determined that theupdated asset-location confidence score is not greater than or equal tothe minimum score (e.g., the updated asset-location confidence score iszero), then, at block 1826, the example asset-location engine 1230updates the asset-location to the location of the reader badge 425. Forexample, the location handler 1245 may retrieve the corresponding readerbadge-location mapping from the badges data store 1225 and update thelocation of the asset accordingly. At block 1828, the exampleasset-location engine 1230 resets the asset-location confidence score.For example, the location handler 1245 may set the asset-locationconfidence score to one. The example program 1800 of FIG. 18 then ends.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 1900 capableof executing the instructions of FIGS. 16, 17 and/or 18 to implement theexample RTLS server 455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 12. The processor platform1900 can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, or any othertype of computing device.

The processor platform 190 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 1912. The processor 1912 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 1912 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllersfrom any desired family or manufacturer.

The processor 1912 of the illustrated example includes a local memory1913 (e.g., a cache). The processor 1912 of the illustrated exampleexecutes the instructions to implement the example message(s) receiver1205, the example messages data store 1207, the example badge locationengine 1210, the example tag-type filterer 1215, the example distancedeterminer 1220, the example badges data store 1225, the exampleasset-location engine 1230, the example tag-type filterer 1235, theexample location classifier 1240, the example location handler 1245, theexample report generator 1255 and/or, more generally, the example RTLSserver 455 of FIGS. 4 and/or 5. The processor 1912 of the illustratedexample is in communication with a main memory including a volatilememory 1914 and a non-volatile memory 1916 via a bus 1918. The volatilememory 1914 may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random AccessMemory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS DynamicRandom Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random accessmemory device. The non-volatile memory 1916 may be implemented by flashmemory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to themain memory 1914, 1916 is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 1900 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 1920. The interface circuit 1920 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1922 are connectedto the interface circuit 1920. The input device(s) 1922 permit(s) a userto enter data and commands into the processor 1912. The input device(s)can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, acamera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, atrack-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 1924 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1920 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1924 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactileoutput device, a printer and/or speakers). The interface circuit 1920 ofthe illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics drivercard, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 1920 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data withexternal machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network1926 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform 1900 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 1928 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 1928 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAIDsystems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. The example massstorage 1928 implements the example messages data store 1207, theexample badges data store 1225 and the example assets data store 1250.

The coded instructions 1932 of FIGS. 16, 17 and/or 18 may be stored inthe mass storage device 1928, in the volatile memory 1914, in thenon-volatile memory 1916, and/or on a removable tangible computerreadable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

FIGS. 20-23 are illustrative example environments in which the examplemethods and apparatus to facilitate proximity detection and locationtracking may be implemented. FIG. 20 illustrates an example patient room2000 including an example reader badge 2005, example fixed-locationasset beacon tags 2010, 2011 and example mobile-location asset beacontags 2015-2017. In the illustrated example of FIG. 20, an examplehospital caregiver 2006 is carrying the example reader badge 2005. Theexample fixed-location asset beacon tag 2010 is affixed to a headboardin the example patient room 2000. The example fixed-location assetbeacon tag 2011 is affixed to a hand hygiene dispenser in the examplepatient room 2000. The example mobile-location asset beacon tag 2015 isaffixed to a bed, the example mobile-location asset beacon tag 2016 isaffixed to a patient (e.g., affixed to a patient ID band), and theexample mobile-location asset beacon tag 2017 is affixed to equipmentsuch as a wheelchair.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 20, the beacon tags 2011, 2015, 2016,2017 are associated with broadcasting areas within which beacon messagesbroadcast by the respective beacon tags may be received (e.g., collectedby the example reader badge 2005). For example, the first beacon tag2011 broadcasts beacon messages within an example first broadcast area2011 a, the example second beacon tag 2015 broadcasts beacon messageswithin an example second broadcast area 2015 a, the example third beacontag 2016 broadcast beacon messages within an example third broadcastarea 2016 a and the example fourth beacon tag 2017 broadcasts beaconmessages within an example fourth broadcast area 2017 a. In addition,the example reader badge 2005 of FIG. 20 is associated with a proximityarea 2005 a in which the reader badge 2005 may receive beacon messages.In some examples, the proximity area 2005 a and the broadcast areas 2011a, 2015 a, 2016 a, 2017 a represent relatively-near locations. Forexample, in the illustrated example of FIG. 20, the proximity area 2005a overlaps with the example second broadcast area 2015 a and the examplethird broadcast area 2016 a. In some such examples, beacon messages thatare collected by the reader badge 2005 may be used to classify thecorresponding beacon tags as relatively-near to the reader badge 2005.

In contrast, because the broadcast area 2011 a and the proximity area2005 a do not overlap in the illustrated example of FIG. 20, the firstbeacon tag 2011 is not located near or immediate relative to the readerbadge 2005. In some such examples, a beacon message that is received bythe reader badge 2005 and that was broadcast by the first beacon tag2011 would be determined to have low signal strength and, thus,classified as relatively-far from the reader badge 2005. In someexamples, when the proximity area of a reader badge overlaps with abeacon tag, the beacon tag location is determined to berelatively-immediate to the reader badge.

As described above, the relatively-near and/or relatively-immediateclassifications may be used to “crowd-source” the location of assets. Inthe illustrated example of FIG. 20, because the second and third beacontags 2015, 2016 are classified as relatively-near the caregiver (e.g.,the reader badge 2005), confidence that the corresponding assets (e.g.,the bed and the patient, respectively) are in the same location isincreased. In addition, subsequent relatively-near classifications,based on, for example, other reader badges as caregivers walk into andout of the patient room 2000, may further increase the confidence thatthe corresponding assets are located in the patient room 2000.

Additionally, user behavior may also be monitored based on the proximitydetection and location tracking. For example, the proximity of thecaregiver to the patient may indicate that the caregiver is interactingwith the patient. In the illustrated example, because the proximity area2005 a does not overlap with the broadcast area 2011 a associated withthe hand hygiene dispenser, a determination may be made that thecaregiver is not interacting with (e.g., using) the hand hygienedispenser. Moreover, if analysis of previous timestamp intervals alsodoes not show the proximity area 2005 a overlapping with the broadcastarea 2011 a, a determination may be made that the caregiver did not usethe hand hygiene dispenser prior to interacting with the patient.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example environment 2100 including example readerbadges 2105, 2106, example fixed-location asset beacon tags 2110-2114and example mobile-location asset beacon tags 2115-2117. In theillustrated example of FIG. 21, the example reader badges 2105, 2106 arecarried by respective caregivers as they move through the environment2100. In addition, the example reader badges 2105, 2106 of FIG. 21 areassociated with respective proximity areas 2105 a, 2106 a. For example,the example first reader badge 2105 may receive beacon messages withinthe first proximity area 2105 a, and the example second reader badge2106 may receive beacon messages within the second proximity area 2106a. The example fixed-location asset beacon tags 2110-2114 are affixed todifferent portions of an example hall 2101 of the environment 2100. Theexample first mobile-location asset beacon tag 2115 is affixed to afirst piece of equipment (e.g., a wheelchair), the example secondmobile-location asset beacon tag 2116 is affixed to a second piece ofequipment (e.g., a cot), and the example third mobile-location assetbeacon tag 2117 is affixed to a patient (e.g., affixed to a patient IDband).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 21, the example first proximity area2105 a overlaps with the first fixed-location asset beacon tag 2110 anddoes not overlap with the other fixed-location asset beacon tags2110-2114. Thus, the first fixed-location asset beacon tag 2110 may bedetermined to be the nearest fixed-location asset beacon tag to thereader badge 2105. In addition, the location of the fixed-location assetbeacon tag 2110 may be mapped to the reader badge 2105.

Once the reader badge-location mapping for the first reader badge 2105is determined, the location(s) for relatively-near and/orrelatively-immediate mobile-location assets may be determined. In theillustrated example of FIG. 21, the first proximity area 2105 a overlapswith the first mobile-location asset beacon tag 2115 and, thus, thefirst mobile-location asset may be classified as relatively-immediate tothe example first reader badge 2105. In the illustrated example, thelocation of the first mobile location asset may be updated to thelocation of the reader badge 2105 (e.g., the location of thefixed-location asset beacon tag 2110). Subsequent beacon messagesbroadcast by the beacon tag 2115 may then be used to increase theconfidence that the corresponding asset is still located proximate tothe fixed-location asset beacon tag 2110. For example, each time acaregiver is determined to be located near the fixed-location assetbeacon tag 2110 and the beacon tag 2115 is determined to berelatively-near and/or relatively-immediate at that time, confidence ofthe asset location increases.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 21, the example second proximity area2106 a does not overlap with any of the fixed-location asset beacon tags2110-2114. In the illustrated example, the nearest fixed-location assetbeacon tag may be determined based on signal strength. For example, ifthe second reader badge 2106 received beacon messages from the secondfixed-location asset beacon tag 2111 and the third fixed-location assetbeacon tag 2112, the example RTLS server 455 may determine which of therespective beacon messages was associated with a stronger signalstrength and assign the location of the corresponding beacon tag as thelocation of the second reader badge 2106.

Once the reader badge-location mapping for the second reader badge 2106is determined, the location(s) for relatively near and/orrelatively-immediate mobile-location assets may be determined. Forexample, the second and third example mobile-location asset beacon tags2116 and 2117, respectively, overlap with the second proximity area2106. In some such examples, the location of the second and third mobilelocation assets may be updated to the location of the second readerbadge 2106.

In addition, analysis of different timestamp intervals (e.g., timestampintervals prior to the current timestamp interval and/or timestampintervals after the current timestamp interval) may enable tracking themovement of the equipment 2116 and the patient 2117. For example, as thesecond caregiver moves through the environment 2100, the location of thereader badge 2106 also changes. In such instances, while the equipment2116 and the patient 2117 are classified as relatively-immediate to thesecond caregiver, the locations of the assets 2116, 2117 are alsoupdated to the changing locations of the reader badge 2106.

As described above, in some examples, the example proximity detectionand location tracking system may include one or more dock modules (e.g.,the example dock module 700 of FIG. 7) in the environment. In theillustrated example of FIG. 22, an example dock module 2205 ispositioned in an example reception area 2200. The example dock module2205 is associated with an example proximity area 2205 a. In theillustrated example, example mobile-location assets are locatedrelatively-immediate to the dock module 2205. For example, examplebeacon tags 2210-2213 affixed to mobile-location assets (e.g., laptops,forms, chairs, etc.) overlap with the proximity area 2205. In some suchexamples, the location of the corresponding mobile-location assets maybe updated to the location of the dock module 2205 (e.g., the examplereception area 2200).

Analysis of the current timestamp interval illustrated in FIG. 22 andanalysis of different timestamp intervals may further increase theconfidence that the assets are in the reception area 2200. For example,in the illustrated example of FIG. 22, each time a caregiver walks intothe reception area 2200 (e.g., is relatively-immediate to the assets2210-2213), and/or walks near the reception area 2200 (e.g., isrelatively-near the assets 2210-2213), confidence scores for thecorresponding asset locations increase, and confidence that thecorresponding assets are located in the reception area 2200 alsoincreases.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example environment 2300 (e.g., a patient room)including an example reader badge 2305 associated with an exampleproximity area 2305 a and an example beacon tag 2310 affixed to afixed-location asset (e.g., a hand hygiene dispenser). In theillustrated example, the beacon tag 2310 is associated with a broadcastarea 2310 a. As discussed above, in some examples, user behavior may bedetermined based on detected proximity. For example, when the proximityarea 2305 a overlaps with the beacon tag 2310, an interaction betweenthe corresponding caregiver and the fixed-location asset may bedetermined. In some examples, a dispense event may be detected based on,for example, additional sensor(s) included in the reader badge 2305and/or by tracking how long the proximity area 2305 a and the beacon tag2310 overlap.

Additionally, based on analysis of the location of the caregiver duringdifferent timestamp intervals, a determination may be made whether, forexample, the caregiver interacted with the hand hygiene dispenser priorto interacting with a patient in the environment 2300, in the middle ofinteracting with a patient in the environment 2300 and/or afterinteracting with a patient in the environment 2300.

FIG. 24 is an example graph 2400 correlating average RSSI strength withdistance based on the angle at which the example reader badge 425receives a beacon message 410. In the illustrated example, the graph2400 also displays the 95% upper and lower bounds of the RSSI strengthsmeasured at different distances.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 24, the signal strength of a beaconmessage collected by a reader badge corresponds to the distance betweenthe broadcasting beacon tag and the reader badge, and the direction ofthe reader badge relative to the broadcasting beacon tag. For example,the average RSSI value of a beacon message that is collected by a readerbadge located three feet away from the broadcasting beacon tag andpositioned so as to directly face the beacon tag (e.g., at a zero degreeangle) is approximately (−54) decibels. In contrast, while facingdirectly away from the beacon tag (e.g., at a 180-degree angle) and atthe same distance (e.g., three feet away), the average RSSI value of abeacon message is (−75) decibels.

In some examples, a graph similar to the example graph 2400 of FIG. 24may be used to determine signal strength thresholds that corresponds to“immediate,” “near” and/or “far” distances relative to the collectingreader badge. For example, based on the illustrated example of FIG. 24,beacon messages associated with an RSSI value greater than or equal to(−55) decibels may be classified as “immediate” relative to a readerbadge, and beacon messages associated with an RSSI value less than orequal to (−80) decibels may be classified as “far” relative to thereader badge.

FIG. 25 illustrates signal strength of beacon messages received at theexample reader badge 425 at three different channels (e.g., Bluetoothchannels 37, 38 and 39). In the illustrated example, looking at theindividual channels (e.g., channel 37 versus channel 38 versus channel39) provides insight on signal strength noise that may be not determinedwhen looking at the channels combined. For example, example graphs 2500,2520, 2540, 2560 illustrate beacon messages broadcast by a same beacontag 405 and that are received by a reader badge 425 at a fixed-locationthree feet away from the beacon tag 405. For example, the example graph2500 indicates that the beacon tag 405 broadcasts beacon messages viachannel 37 with a high variance (e.g., approximately a ten decibelrange).

The example graph 2520 indicates two example bands 2525, 2530. Theexample first band 2525 indicates a portion of beacon messages broadcastvia channel 38 were received by the reader badge 425 with an RSSI valueof approximately (−30). The example second band 2530 indicates a portionof the beacon messages broadcast via channel 38 were received by thereader badge 425 with an RSSI value of approximately (−36). In theillustrated example, the two distinct bands 2525, 2530 may indicate afirst response event and a bounce event. For example, because the signalstrength associated with the first band 2525 (e.g., approximately (−30))is stronger than the signal strength associated with the second band2530 (e.g., approximately (−36)), the beacon messages received near thefirst band may be indicative of beacon messages that were received bythe reader badge 425 directly from the beacon tag 405 (e.g., withoutinterference). In contrast, the beacon messages received near the secondband may be indicative of beacon messages that were received by thereader badge 425 indirectly from the beacon tag 405. For example, thesecond band beacon messages may be collected by the reader badge 425after bouncing off a wall.

The example graph 2530 indicates that beacon messages that werebroadcast by the beacon tag 405 via channel 39 had a low variance andare associated with an RSSI value of approximately (−36). For example,graph 2530 illustrates a “tight” grouping of RSSI data for channel 39.

The example graph 2560 illustrates the combined beacon messagesbroadcast via channels 37, 38 and 39. In the illustrated example, theinsights gained by viewing the channels separately (e.g., a signalstrength range of 10 decibels for beacon messages broadcast via channel37, two bands of beacon messages broadcast via channel 38, and anapproximate signal strength of beacon messages broadcast via channel 39)cannot be determined by analyzing the combined graph 2560. For example,knowing the channel used to broadcast the beacon message may improve thereliability of the data collected.

From the foregoing, it will appreciate that the above disclosed methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture facilitate proximity detection andlocation tracking of assets in an industrial setting. As describedabove, example disclosures uniquely eliminate the expensive anddifficult-to-maintain infrastructure. An example benefit of thedisclosed techniques includes determining location awareness of assetsin the industrial setting without constructing a new infrastructure. Insome disclosed examples, the location awareness of assets is determinedby “crowd-sourcing” probability proximity locations of the assets.Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to facilitate proximity detection andlocation tracking in an environment, the method comprising: initiating,at a badge including a processor, a batch timer; storing one or morereader messages in a memory at the badge; comparing, using theprocessor, a value of the batch timer to a batch threshold; when thevalue satisfies the batch threshold, initiating a connection between thebadge and a location server; transmitting the one or more readermessages from the badge to the location server via the connection; andresetting the batch timer.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one ormore reader messages include one or more beacon messages received by thebadge.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more beacon messagesare associated with location information.
 4. The method of claim 2,further including forming the one or more reader messages by combiningwith badge information with the one or more beacon messages.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the badge information includes at least oneof a) badge identifying information, b) timestamp information, c) signalstrength information, or d) channel identifying information.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the batch threshold provides a periodictransmission interval for the badge based on the batch timer.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the one or more readermessages from the badge to the location server via the connectionfurther includes transmitting the one or more reader messages from thebadge to the location server using web service calls via the connection.8. An apparatus to facilitate proximity detection and location trackingin an environment, the apparatus comprising: a badge including: areceiver; a memory; a transmitter; and a processor, the processoradapted to: initiate a batch timer; store one or more reader messages inthe memory; compare a value of the batch timer to a batch threshold;when the value satisfies the batch threshold, initiate a connectionbetween the badge and a location server; transmit the one or more readermessages from the badge to the location server via the connection; andreset the batch timer.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one ormore reader messages include one or more beacon messages received by thebadge.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more beaconmessages are associated with location information.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the processor is to form the one or more readermessages by combining with badge information with the one or more beaconmessages.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the badge informationincludes at least one of a) badge identifying information, b) timestampinformation, c) signal strength information, or d) channel identifyinginformation.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the batch thresholdprovides a periodic transmission interval for the badge based on thebatch timer.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is totransmit the one or more reader messages from the badge to the locationserver via the connection by transmitting the one or more readermessages from the badge to the location server using web service callsvia the connection.
 15. A tangible machine-readable storage mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to atleast: initiate a batch timer; store one or more reader messages in thememory; compare a value of the batch timer to a batch threshold; whenthe value satisfies the batch threshold, initiate a connection betweenthe badge and a location server; transmit the one or more readermessages from the badge to the location server via the connection; andreset the batch timer.
 16. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein theone or more reader messages include one or more beacon messages receivedby the badge.
 17. The storage medium of claim 16, wherein the one ormore beacon messages are associated with location information.
 18. Thestorage medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions cause the machineto form the one or more reader messages by combining with badgeinformation with the one or more beacon messages.
 19. The storage mediumof claim 18, wherein the badge information includes at least one of a)badge identifying information, b) timestamp information, c) signalstrength information, or d) channel identifying information.
 20. Thestorage medium of claim 15, wherein the batch threshold provides aperiodic transmission interval for the badge based on the batch timer.